Some senators expressed frustration that Italy was ignoring its obligation to hand over suspects to the International Criminal Court.

Italy’s interior minister says a Libyan man was detained on an international war crimes warrant and then accidentally released He was promptly deported due to his “danger to society.”

Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem, was arrested on Sunday according to an order issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague Ling was detained in Turin, where the court said he was suspected of crimes including murder, torture and rape of detainees in Libya.

However, he was released on Tuesday due to legal issues and flew back to Tripoli on an Italian state plane.

The ICC asked for an explanation, saying it had not consulted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government.

Interior Minister Matteo Piandosi answered tough questions from opposition lawmakers during Thursday’s Senate session.

“After the arrest failed and … taking into account that the Libyan citizen … presented a danger to society, … for reasons of national security, I passed the deportation order,” Piandosi said.

Some senators expressed frustration that Italy was ignoring its obligation to hand over suspects to the court. They again called on Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to answer MPs’ questions at a public meeting.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani dismissed opposition to the ICC, telling reporters the court was “not the word of God.” This is not the source of all truth. “

“Italy is a sovereign country and we make our own decisions,” he added.

Nijim’s arrest and release comes about a week after Rome and Tripoli resumed direct flights between their capitals after a decade-long hiatus.

Njim, a brigadier general of the Libyan judicial police, was said by the International Criminal Court to have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes at the Mitiga detention center in Tripoli.

Meloni’s government relies heavily on Libyan security forces to prevent would-be migrants from leaving the North African country for southern Italy.

Rome has an agreement with the North African country – which began in 2017 and was renewed under Meloni’s government – to provide funding and training for the Libyan coast guard.

Piandosi told lawmakers at a Senate inquiry that Rome’s appeals court ordered Njim’s release because they considered his arrest irregular.

The ICC said the crimes listed in the arrest warrant were “committed personally by Mr Njim, on his order or with his assistance by members of the Special Deterrence Force”.

Opposition parties said Piante Dosi’s explanation was insufficient and called on Meloni to come to parliament to provide clarification.

“You are bringing our country into utter disgrace. You are talking about technical details, but you have made a precise political choice,” said Green Left Alliance senator Giuseppe de Cristofaro. De Cristofaro said.