Italy's Meloni Probed Over Repatriation of Libyan War Crimes Suspect
The Facts
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced in a video posted online on Tuesday that she has been placed under judicial investigation for aiding and abetting a crime, and misuse of public funds, over the repatriation of a Libyan wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes.
She suggested that the move is an attempt to blackmail and intimidate her government, as the lawyer who filed the complaint is a former leftist politician, and the leading prosecutor was involved in a failed trial against Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
Meloni further disclosed that Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters Alfredo Mantovano received the same notice of investigation. Nordio and Piantedosi will address parliament on Wednesday over the case.
The Spin
Left narrative
Meloni and her allies breached international obligations and misused public funds, as they released and repatriated al-Masri despite an international arrest warrant against him. Rome has relied on Libya to keep migrants away from its shores, and this was a deliberate act to grease relations with the country given the intolerant climate Meloni's party has created in Italy towards migrant populations.
Right narrative
This investigation into the repatriation of al-Masri amounts to another example of political persecution against Meloni and her allies in Italy. Authorities were legally obliged to release the suspect after the ICC failed to meet its deadline to submit evidence to validate his arrest.