International Criminal Court

Comment on Italy's failure to execute ICC arrest warrant (the Almasri case)

The International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC/CPI), Netherlands.
© Vincent van Zeijst

The Giuristi Democratici (Democratic Lawyers) website hosts a commentary on the failure of Italian authorities to execute the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Najeem Osema Habish, also known as Almasri, a high-ranking official of the Tripoli Libyan administration accused of international crimes, while he was in Italy. 

The arrest warrant was not executed due to the inaction of the Minister of Justice. The suspect was returned to Libya as he was deemed a threat to Italian state security. 

Paolo De Stefani and Carlotta Rossato emphasise that Italy has failed to fulfil its obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court and that this behaviour has severely harmed Italy's reliability in combating international crimes and risks undermining the Court's authority.

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2025

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International Criminal Court genocide, crimes against humanity Italy war crimes

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