Libyan general accused of crimes against humanity arrested in Tripoli

"Osama Almasri Najim, the former chief of Libya's judicial police, was arrested over allegations of torturing prisoners, leading to the death of one, at Tripoli's main prison, Libya's prosecutor's office said on Wednesday. The Italian government came under fire in January after Najim was arrested in the northern city of Turin on the ICC warrant only to be released two days later and flown back to Tripoli on an Italian air force plane."

"In a statement, Libya's prosecutors' office said that as it had pursued the ICC's allegations, it had gathered additional information about human rights violations against inmates at Tripoli's main prison, who reported being subjected to torture and cruel, degrading treatment. Najim had been questioned about the alleged abuse against 10 prisoners and the death of one, the statement said. The arrest was made given that sufficient evidence was established to support the charges, the statement added."

"Najim is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as alleged rape and murder. He was arrested in Turin after attending a football match before being released and repatriated. Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said he had been quickly repatriated because he was considered a risk to Italy's national security. Critics accused her administration of pandering to Libya because of its reliance on the north African country to stem the flow of migration towards Italy's southern shores."

Osama Almasri Najim, former chief of Libya's judicial police, was arrested in Tripoli on allegations of torturing prisoners at the city's main prison, causing one death. Investigators gathered additional information alleging human rights violations and cruel, degrading treatment of inmates. Najim faces questioning over abuse of ten prisoners and the death of one. He is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, rape and murder. Najim had been arrested in Turin in January on an ICC warrant, released two days later and repatriated to Libya on an Italian air force plane, prompting criticism and an ICC finding that Italy failed to execute the warrant.

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