Italy's justice minister has strongly defended the government's decision to free and repatriate a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Rome's decision to release Osama Almasri Najim drew condemnation from Italian opposition parties, NGOs and the ICC.

Italy's government has blamed its much-criticised release of a Libyan war crimes suspect on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which it accused of presenting a poorly written arrest warrant.

Italy’s interior minister has told lawmakers that he ordered the expulsion of a Libyan warlord sought by the International Criminal Court due to security concerns

Migrants expressed their dismay and sense of betrayal on Wednesday over Italy's decision last week to release a Libyan policeman wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and human rights abuses and allow him to return home.

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.

Some opposition politicians have alleged the suspect was sent home to avoid jeopardising relations with Libya.