Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday an investigation targeting her over the release of a Libyan war crimes suspect was bad publicity that could push away much-needed foreign investment.

The government attributed the release to procedural reasons. But critics say it is because Italy depends on Libya to stem the flow of migrants from Africa.

Italy’s prime minister has addressed growing criticism of the repatriation of a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Migrants have criticized Italy for releasing a Libyan officer accused of war crimes, citing betrayal and fear. Arrested in Italy, Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed due to a procedural error. The incident has raised concerns over Italy’s reliance on Libyan security forces amid allegations of human rights abuses.

Italian media reports and a Libyan official say police in Turin have arrested a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Two humanitarian groups, Mediterranea Saving Humans and Refugees in Libya, which have documented abuses committed against migrants in Libyan detention facilities, said they were incredulous that Italy let al-Masri go. “Those of us who managed to survive ...

Italy's interior minister said on Thursday a Libyan man detained under an international war crimes arrest warrant and then unexpectedly released had been swiftly repatriated because of his "social dangerousness".

Meloni described the probe as 'clearly a deliberate act' and that the prosecutor who passed on the complaint to the court was 'not normal'.

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday blasted Rome Chief Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi for notifying Premier Giorgia Meloni and other members of the government that the case of a Libyan police official who was sent back home from Italy after being detained on an International Criminal Court arrest warrant was being looked at following a complaint by a lawyer.

The EU is "complicit" in the sale of Sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia to Libyan gangs for as little as £10 per person, according to a damning new report. The investigation, conducted by several humanitarian groups,