Almasri Case: Italian Chamber Receives Request to Proceed Against Ministers Piantedosi, Nordio, and Undersecretary Mantovano
Rome, August 6, 2025 – The Italian Chamber of Deputies has received a request from the Tribunal of Ministers to authorize legal proceedings against Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano in connection with the controversial Almasri case. The case centers on the arrest and subsequent release of Libyan General Osama Almasri, a suspected war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes including torture, murder, and sexual violence. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s case was dismissed by the Tribunal, prompting her to call the accusations against her colleagues “absurd” and assert the government’s cohesive decision-making under her leadership.
Case Background
The Almasri affair began on January 18, 2025, when the ICC issued an international arrest warrant for Almasri, head of Tripoli’s judicial police and manager of the notorious Mitiga prison. Almasri was detained in Turin on January 19 but released and repatriated to Libya on January 21 via a state-owned Falcon 900 aircraft, despite the ICC’s request for his extradition. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office, led by Francesco Lo Voi, initiated an investigation into Meloni, Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano for potential crimes of aiding and abetting (all four), embezzlement (Piantedosi and Mantovano for the use of the state aircraft), and omission of official acts (Nordio for failing to promptly request Almasri’s custody).
On August 4, 2025, the Tribunal of Ministers dismissed charges against Meloni, citing insufficient evidence that she was informed or directly involved in the decision to release Almasri. However, it forwarded a request to the Chamber’s Authorization Committee to proceed against Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano, which was confirmed by Committee President Devis Dori on August 5. The committee will outline its next steps in a meeting scheduled for August 6.
Allegations and Government Response
The accusations stem from the handling of Almasri’s arrest and release. The ICC’s warrant, described by Nordio as “a mess” due to alleged errors in timing and documentation, was informally communicated to Italy’s Ministry of Justice on January 19 via an Interpol email lacking full details. The Rome Court of Appeal declined to validate the arrest, citing procedural issues, and Almasri was expelled for “security reasons” rather than extradited. Critics, including opposition leaders Elly Schlein (PD) and Giuseppe Conte (M5S), argue that the government’s actions facilitated the escape of a war criminal, undermining Italy’s international obligations.
Nordio has denied allegations of wrongdoing, particularly claims that his chief of staff, Giusi Bartolozzi, instructed officials to act with “maximum reserve and caution” and use the Signal app for confidential communications. On January 19, Bartolozzi was informed by Luigi Birritteri, former head of the Department of Justice Affairs, about Almasri’s arrest but not the ICC warrant, which was transmitted to the ministry only on January 20. Nordio has called media reports “legends” and rejected opposition demands for his resignation, while clashing with Cesare Parodi, president of the National Magistrates’ Association (ANM), over comments suggesting political repercussions if Bartolozzi were prosecuted. Parodi later clarified he did not mention Bartolozzi, calling Nordio’s reaction an overreach.
Meloni, in a social media post on August 4, defended her government’s actions, stating, “This government acts cohesively under my leadership: every decision, especially such important ones, is agreed upon.” She called the Tribunal’s claim that she was uninformed “patently absurd” and vowed to stand by Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano during the parliamentary vote on authorization.
Political and Legal Implications
The case has intensified tensions between Italy’s government and judiciary. Nordio’s February 5 briefing to the Chamber, where he criticized the ICC warrant and Rome Court of Appeal, drew sharp rebukes from opposition leaders. Schlein called it “a sad day for democracy,” accusing Nordio of acting as Almasri’s defense lawyer, while Conte labeled Meloni’s absence from the briefing “institutional cowardice.” The lack of a live TV broadcast for the Chamber session, opposed by some majority members, further fueled accusations of government opacity.
The Authorization Committee’s decision is critical, as Parliament must approve proceedings against government officials. Given the majority’s strength, opposition leaders like Raffaella Paita (Italia Viva) predict the request will be rejected, citing Nordio’s alleged omission as the most serious charge. Posts on X reflect public skepticism, with users like @SalamidaFabio mocking Nordio’s claim that the ICC warrant was flawed despite being in English, and @vitalbaa suggesting Nordio’s inaction was a political choice.
Broader Context
The Almasri case underscores Italy’s complex role in managing migration and international justice. Almasri’s alleged crimes at Mitiga prison, a key node in Libya’s migration network, highlight the intersection of human rights and geopolitical priorities. The government’s decision to expel rather than extradite Almasri has drawn criticism for potentially prioritizing relations with Libya, a key partner in migration control, over ICC obligations. Libya’s summons of Almasri in July 2025 for charges related to irregular armed groups further complicates the case, placing Italy in a diplomatic bind.
Conclusion
The request to proceed against Piantedosi, Nordio, and Mantovano marks a pivotal moment in the Almasri case, testing the cohesion of Meloni’s government and its relationship with the judiciary. While Meloni’s dismissal reinforces her leadership, the ongoing investigation into her colleagues threatens political fallout. As the Chamber’s Authorization Committee deliberates, the case remains a flashpoint for debates over accountability, international law, and Italy’s global standing.
Sources: Il Sole 24 Ore, Agenzia Nova, La Repubblica, ANSA, L’Unione Sarda, LaPresse, posts on X