Meloni’s critics have accused her government of releasing Njeem to protect an agreement with Libya to block the departure of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Ending illegal migration to Italy has been the main pillar of Meloni’s legislative agenda since she came to power in 2022.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation over her country's surprise release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague,