Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been placed under investigation over a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Here is the background to the case and a look at what might happen next.

Osama Elmasry Njeem faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over his role in running notorious prison

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation by Rome prosecutors over her government’s decision to return a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court back to the north African country.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she has been placed under judicial investigation after her government released a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni says that Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against her and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Italian media reports and a Libyan official say police in Turin have arrested a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is facing a probe into her government's decision to repatriate a Libyan general wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Responding to reports of the arrest in Italy of Osama Njeem, long-term member of the Tripoli-based militia Deterrence Apparatus for Combatting Terrorism

Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday blasted Rome Chief Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi for notifying Premier Giorgia Meloni and other members of the government that the case of a Libyan police official who was sent back home from Italy after being detained on an International Criminal Court arrest warrant was being looked at following a complaint by a lawyer.

The UN Support Mission in Libya called on the Tripoli authorities Saturday to detain a war crimes suspect who was sent home by Italy despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

However, Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio refused to approve the ICC arrest warrant, rendering it void, and al-Masri was freed on January 21. After that, al-Masri was taken to Tripoli on a military aircraft, where he was met by applauding admirers.