Libyan authorities have detained senior police officer Osama Almasri Njeem, months after he was repatriated from Italy despite facing international war crimes charges. Njeem, who heads the Operations and Judicial Security Department under the Ministry of Justice in Tripoli, is accused of committing, ordering, or facilitating torture, rape, and murder of detainees held at Mitiga Prison from 2015 onwards.
According to Libya’s attorney general, investigations have produced substantial evidence linking Njeem to the abuse and deaths of inmates. He is now being held in pretrial detention as prosecutors continue gathering witness statements and forensic evidence. Reports indicate that several detainees suffered severe human rights violations, including the torture of ten inmates and the death of at least one prisoner as a result of mistreatment.
The case has stirred controversy internationally due to Italy’s earlier decision to repatriate Njeem shortly after his arrest. Italian police had detained him in January while he was staying at a hotel in Turin under an international warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, the Italian government ordered his release within two days, citing procedural errors in the notification of the arrest warrant. He was flown back to Libya aboard a state aircraft, prompting backlash from opposition leaders and human rights groups.
Critics accused Rome of prioritizing political and security interests over international justice, suggesting that Njeem may have collaborated with Italian authorities on controlling migrant flows from Libya to Europe. The Italian government denied the allegations, maintaining that his release was lawful.
In August, Italy’s Tribunal of Ministers requested parliament to lift immunity for three ministers involved in handling the case, but the motion was blocked by the ruling coalition, which holds a strong majority. The ICC has since expressed concern over Italy’s handling of Njeem’s arrest and release, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in prosecuting war crimes.
Libya, still reeling from the instability that followed the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, remains deeply divided between rival factions controlling the east and west of the country. The arrest of Njeem marks a significant move by Tripoli’s authorities to address long-standing allegations of human rights abuses within its justice and security institutions, though questions remain about whether he will ultimately face trial or accountability under international law.
