The government attributed the release to procedural reasons. But critics say it is because Italy depends on Libya to stem the flow of migrants from Africa.

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.

Italy's interior minister said on Thursday a Libyan man detained under an international war crimes arrest warrant and then unexpectedly released had been swiftly repatriated because of his "social dangerousness".

A senior member of Libya's judicial police has been given a hero's welcome back home after Italy unexpectedly released him from jail just two days after arresting him on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Italy's government said Thursday a Libyan police chief arrested on a war crimes warrant was flown home after a court found no basis to detain him -- and he was too dangerous to remain.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has defended the swift deportation of Libyan war crimes suspect Osama Elmasry Njeem, citing concerns about his "social dangerousness." Njeem, detained in Turin under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant,

The head of Libya's judicial police has been arrested after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant over war crimes allegations, media reports say. Osama Najim, who directs Tripoli's Mitiga detention centre, was reportedly arrested on Sunday in the Italian city of Turin.

Italian authorities released the director of a notorious detention camp who had been arrested in Turin on an ICC war crimes warrant.

Ossama Anjiem, who runs a major Libyan prison, was in Italy to watch a soccer match. He returned home after an Italian court found issues with the warrant for his arrest.

Italy's prime minister has addressed growing criticism of the repatriation of a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court. Giorgia Meloni on Saturday cited an appeals court order and s

The ICC said Njeem is alleged to have overseen Tripoli’s Mitiga Prison facilities, where thousands of persons were detained for prolonged periods, is suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, allegedly committed from February 2015 onwards.