Libyan police chief arrested in Italy for alleged war crimes - reports - Voice of Asia

According to media reports, the head of Libya's judicial police has been arrested following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged war crimes. The arrested individual is Osama al-Najim, who is also the director of the Mitiga detention center in Tripoli.

It is reported that al-Najim was arrested on Sunday in the Italian city of Turin. This arrest comes after former detainees of multiple detention centers described the abuses they suffered, including routine torture and rape. The United Nations stated in 2022 that they had found evidence of "serious human rights violations."

According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, al-Najim was arrested at a hotel after a tip-off from Interpol. The Italian migrant rescue charity, Mediterranea Saving Humans, said the arrest came after a "difficult" investigation by the ICC following "years of complaints and testimonies from victims."

Mediterranea Saving Humans also criticized the long-standing and controversial agreement between Italy and Libya. Under this agreement, Italy provides training and funding to the Libyan Coast Guard to intercept migrant boats. As part of the agreement, Libya is supposed to help reduce the number of migrants arriving in Italy via the country.

La Repubblica quoted Prosecutor Lucia Musti as saying that al-Najim was with other Libyan citizens when he was arrested and was planning to go to a stadium. It is reported that al-Najim's case has been transferred to the Ministry of Justice and the Rome Court of Appeal. An ICC spokesperson has not yet immediately responded to questions from the BBC.