Judges at the International Criminal Court have officially asked Italy on Monday to explain why the country released a Libyan man suspected of torture, murder and rape rather than sending him to The Hague.

Njeem was released and flown home to Tripoli two days after being detained last month in northern Italy on the back of the ICC warrant which said he was suspected of the murder, torture and rape of detainees in Libya.

Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague,

Italy’s justice minister has strongly defended the government’s decision to free and repatriate a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.

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.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is probing Italy's release of Osama Elmasry Njeem, a Libyan officer wanted for war crimes. His release after arrest in Italy has ignited political outrage. The ICC may refer the case to its governing body or the UN Security Council for further action.

Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri. Judges at the International Criminal Court have officially asked Italy on Monday to explain why the country released a Libyan man suspected of torture,

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court.