Italy's justice minister said on Wednesday Rome had no choice but to free a Libyan military officer wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court because of what he described as mistakes and inaccuracies in the court's arrest warrant.

Italy's justice minister has strongly defended the government's decision to free and repatriate a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Italy's government Wednesday blamed its much-criticised release of a Libyan war crimes suspect on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which it accused of presenting a poorly written arrest warrant.

Italy's justice minister, Carlo Nordio, defends the decision to repatriate Libyan warlord Ossama al-Masri, wanted by the ICC. Nordio critiques the ICC's flawed warrant, citing contradictions, leading to political backlash and accusations of undermining judicial obligations.

Rome's decision to release Osama Almasri Najim drew condemnation from Italian opposition parties, NGOs and the ICC.

Carlo Nordio argued that the ICC’s arrest warrant contained contradictions and procedural flaws, leading Italy’s courts to order Ossama al-Masri’s release. View on euronews