Premier Giorgia Meloni said Thursday
after she and some ministers were informed by a prosecutor
Tuesday of a lawyer's complaint over the release and return to
Libya of wanted war criminal Osama Almasri that anyone in her
shoes would be a bit disheartened over the alleged judicial
mistreatment she has suffered.
"Anyone in my shoes would be a bit disheartened when faced with
this story", said Meloni, speaking at the event La Ripartenza,
organized by journalist Nicola Porro in Milan, answering a
question about the notification sent to her and some ministers
on the case of Almasri, who is wanted by the International
Criminal Court, by the Rome Prosecutor's Office.
"The action was clearly an intentional action," she remarked.
"Everyone knows that the Prosecutor's Office has its discretion
in these matters as demonstrated by numerous complaints from
citizens against the institutions and on which it was decided
not to proceed with the registration in the register of
suspects, as in the years of Covid".
Meloni has come under fire after Almasri, wanted for the alleged
murder of migrants and alleged rape of persons as young as five,
was flown back to a hero's welcome in Tripoli after being
released on a technicality and expelled as a dangerous
individual.
The premier and ministers including Justice Minister Carlo
Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, as well as
Cabinet Secretary in charge of national security Alfredo
Mantovano, have said they followed the law in the case.
"Yesterday I found myself on the front page of the Financial
Times with the news that I was investigated and if in Italy
citizens understand perfectly what is happening abroad it is not
the same thing", said the premier.
She added:
"What is happening is damaging to the nation, to its
opportunities and this drives me crazy".
She reiterated:
"To the Italians I say: as long as you are here, I am here too.
I do not intend to give up an inch, as long as the Italians are
with me."
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