Almasri Case: Meloni’s Charges Dismissed, Nordio, Piantedosi, and Mantovano Face Trial
August 4, 2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on August 4, 2025, that her position in the controversial Almasri case has been dismissed by the Tribunal of Ministers, but Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano are moving toward trial, pending parliamentary approval. The case, centered on the release and repatriation of Libyan warlord Osama Njeem Almasri, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes, has sparked intense political and legal debate in Italy.
Almasri, head of Libya’s judicial police and director of the notorious Mitiga prison, was arrested in Turin on January 19, 2025, under an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape. However, the Rome Court of Appeal released him on January 21 due to a procedural error: the ICC warrant was not transmitted to the Italian Justice Ministry, rendering the arrest invalid under Italian law. Almasri was then swiftly deported to Libya on a state aircraft, a move critics argue was politically motivated to protect Italy’s migration agreements with Libya.
Meloni, Nordio, Piantedosi, and Mantovano faced investigation by Rome prosecutors for aiding and abetting a crime and embezzlement, prompted by a complaint from lawyer Luigi Li Gotti. The Tribunal of Ministers, after a six-month probe, archived Meloni’s case, citing her coordinated leadership with the government. However, it recommended seeking parliamentary authorization to proceed against Nordio, Piantedosi, and Mantovano, with Nordio facing an additional charge of omission of official acts. Meloni defended her colleagues, stating, “Every choice was coordinated under my guidance,” and vowed to stand by them in Parliament.
Opposition leaders have fiercely criticized the government’s handling of the case. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein called it “a sad day for democracy,” accusing Meloni of disrespecting Parliament by not addressing the issue directly. Italia Viva’s Raffaella Paita claimed Nordio “lied to Parliament” about the timing of his awareness, pointing to an email showing his cabinet knew of Almasri’s arrest early on January 19. The ICC has also launched a probe into Italy’s actions, alleging obstruction of justice under Article 70 of the Rome Statute.
No evidence suggests “planted evidence” in the case, as implied by the query term “planted.” The controversy instead hinges on procedural failures and political motives, with critics alleging the government prioritized migration deals over ICC obligations. The Tribunal of Ministers’ documents, accessed by lawyer Giulia Bongiorno, remain under scrutiny for alleged leaks, adding to the case’s complexity.
As the case heads toward a parliamentary vote on whether to authorize trial proceedings, Italy’s cooperation with the ICC and its domestic legal framework face renewed scrutiny. For more details, visit icc-cpi.int.