ICC confirms wanted arrest of freed Libya police chief

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for the head of Libya’s judicial police on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, a day after Italy released him.

The Hague-based court said in a statement the suspect had been arrested by Italian authorities in Turin on Sunday but reportedly released Tuesday “without prior notice or consultation with the Court”.

“On 18 January 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court by majority, issued a warrant of arrest for Mr Osama Almasri Najim,” the Hague-based court said in a statement.

Najim, who is believed to have been in charge of Tripoli’s Mitiga detention centre, is wanted on charges including murder, rape and sexual violence and torture, committed since February 15, 2015.

The alleged crimes were committed against detainees because of their religion, perceived “immoral behaviour” or their alleged support or affiliation to the other armed groups, the ICC said.

Najim was arrested Sunday at a Turin hotel on the ICC warrant after a tip from Interpol, according to local Italian media.

But on Tuesday “without prior notice or consultation with the Court, Mr Osama Najim was reportedly released from custody and transported back to Libya,” the ICC said.