Giorgia Meloni says she is under investigation for repatriation of Libyan warlord
GuardianJAN 15
Italy's Meloni Probed Over Repatriation of Libyan War Crimes Suspect
Above: Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni talks with Argentina's Pres. Javier Milei at the 60th US presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20, 2025. Image copyright: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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.