Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been placed under investigation over a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy announced on Tuesday that she was being investigated by Italian prosecutors for her alleged role in aiding and abetting the release last week of a Libyan official wanted on war crimes charges.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni says that Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against her and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Osama Elmasry Njeem is suspected of crimes against humanity including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence as a prison overseer in Tripoli.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is facing a probe into her government's decision to repatriate a Libyan general wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under judicial investigation for embezzlement and aiding a crime following the controversial release of a Libyan citizen wanted by the ICC for war crimes.

Osama Elmasry Njeem, who was wanted for alleged crimes against humanity, was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state aircraft.

Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against Premier Giorgia Meloni and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the premier announced on Tuesday.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been placed under investigation over a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Here is the background to the case and a look at what might happen next.