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.

The International Criminal Court has demanded answers from Italy over why it freed a Libyan man suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as murder, torture and rape. Italy detained Osama Elmasry Njeem,

Italy's interior minister has told lawmakers that he ordered the expulsion of a Libyan warlord sought by the International Criminal Court due to security concerns.