Italy's justice minister has strongly defended the government's decision to free and repatriate 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.

ROME (AP) — Human rights groups voiced outrage Wednesday after Italy released a Libyan warlord on a technicality, after he was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Italy's justice minister said on Wednesday Rome had no choice but to free a Libyan military officer wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court because of what he described as mistakes and inaccuracies in the court's arrest warrant.

Carlo Nordio argued that the ICC’s arrest warrant contained contradictions and procedural flaws, leading Italy’s courts to order Ossama al-Masri’s release. View on euronews

Italy's government Wednesday blamed its much-criticised release of a Libyan war crimes suspect on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which it accused of presenting a poorly written arrest warrant.