The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has urged Libyan authorities to detain Osama Najim, a police chief implicated in war crimes, who was controversially deported from Italy earlier this week despite being the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Najim, the head of Libya’s judicial police, is wanted for crimes including murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence allegedly committed in his capacity as head of the Mitiga detention centre in Tripoli since 2015.
The ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Najim, and the UN Security Council had referred Libya’s situation to the ICC for investigation as far back as 2011. The UN mission emphasised the need for accountability, calling on Tripoli to either investigate Najim or hand him over to the ICC.
Najim was arrested in Turin last weekend, but an Italian court ruled his detention “irregular,” citing procedural errors in the handling of the ICC warrant. Italy then repatriated him to Libya aboard an air force plane.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi justified the move as necessary for “urgent security reasons.” However, the decision drew harsh criticism from international human rights groups and Italy’s opposition parties. Senator Sandra Zampa of the Democratic Party labeled the deportation “shameful,” rejecting procedural excuses.
The ICC indirectly criticized Italy, reminding member states of their obligation to fully cooperate with its investigations and prosecutions.
Najim received a warm reception upon his return to Tripoli, as footage on social media showed him being welcomed by supporters. Analysts believe he is also a key figure in the Radaa militia, one of Tripoli’s most powerful armed groups.
Libyan detention centres, including Mitiga, have long been criticised by human rights organizations for systematic abuses, including torture and violence. Najim’s release underscores the ongoing challenges of addressing impunity in Libya, even as the country remains under scrutiny for its handling of migrants and detainees.
Since 2017, Italy and Libya have maintained a contentious agreement under which Italy provides funding and training to the Libyan coastguard in exchange for preventing migrants from reaching Europe. Many of these migrants are returned to Libya and held in detention centres where abuses are rampant.
Najim’s arrest and deportation coincided with the resumption of direct flights between Rome and Tripoli after a decade, signalling closer ties between the two nations. Italy’s foreign ministry hailed the strengthened partnership with Libya, describing it as strategic and privileged.
However, the deportation of Najim has sparked renewed scrutiny of Italy’s cooperation with Libya, particularly concerning human rights obligations and the rule of law.
