Tuesday, February 11

Libyan Official Arrested in Italy Returns Home to Hero’s Welcome

Brigadier General Osama Najim is getting off a plane upon arriving in Mitiga International Airport, 21 January 2025. (Social media photo)

Tripoli— The head of Tripoli Judicial Police Brigadier General Osama Najim, who was arrested by the Italian police in Turin on 19 January, had arrived in Tripoli two days later to a hero’s welcome. A large crowed greeted Najim’s plane at Mitiga International Airport and with fireworks display.

According to the Italian Nova Agency, “an image shared on Libyan social media, and verified by Nova, shows the Libyan general getting off a plane that, judging from the images, appears to belong to the Italian state fleet.”

As the General’s colleagues and well-wishers in Tripoli were celebrating his triumphant return, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a statement on 22 January 2025, saying that “without prior notice or consultation with the Court, Mr. Osama Elmasry Njeem was reportedly released from custody and transported back to Libya.”

Meanwhile, the ICC justified its refrain from immediately commenting once the Italian made the arrest of the Libyan official by stating that “at the request of, and acting out of full respect for, the Italian authorities, the Court deliberately refrained from publicly commenting on the arrest of the suspect.”

“The Court is seeking, and is yet to obtain, verification from the authorities on the steps reportedly taken,” the ICC stressed, adding “the Court recalls the duty of all States Parties to cooperate fully with the Court in its investigations and prosecutions of crimes.”

It is obvious that there was some kind of communication problem between the Court and the Italian authorities. The Court’s statement did not hide its concern about such problem saying it “reminded the Italian authorities that in the event they identify any problems which may impede or prevent the execution of the present request for cooperation, they should consult the Court without delay in order to resolve the matter.”

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