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.

Osama al Najim, commander of the Libyan judicial police, has been arrested in Turin, according to reports Monday. There was reportedly a tip from Interpol about the man's presence in the northwestern Italian city.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said Tuesday he was weighing whether to send the case of the head of Libya judicial police, arrested in Turin Sunday, to Rome's prosecutor general (PG) given the "complex" file against an allegedly brutal official wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The UN Support Mission in Libya called on the Tripoli authorities Saturday to detain a war crimes suspect who was sent home by Italy despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

Italy’s prime minister has addressed growing criticism of the repatriation of a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Italian authorities arrested Osama Najim, the head of Libya's judicial police, in the city of Turin on Monday, following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged

Libyan commander Najeem Osema Almasri Habish was arrested last Sunday in Turin in execution of a warrant from the International Criminal Court. This arrest has aroused considerable media and political interest,

Italian opposition lawmakers and human rights groups are voicing outrage after Italy released a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court

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.

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for the head of Libya's judicial police on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, a day after Italy released him.

Al-Masri had been arrested Sunday in Turin, where he reportedly had attended the Juventus-Milan soccer match the night before. The ICC warrant, dated the day before, accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015 that are punishable with life in prison.