Italy Reviewing Judicial Cooperation with ICC After Osama Najim Case

​The Italian government has announced it is initiating a review of its judicial cooperation procedures with the International Criminal Court (ICC). This step follows the controversy generated by the case of Osama Najim, which the court deemed a crucial test of Italy’s commitment to international judicial requests.
​Official Communication & Legal Balance
​Rome officially contacted the judges of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber, confirming that it is coordinating with both Parliament and the judiciary to revise the laws governing its relationship with the court. The stated aim of the review is to uphold Italy’s international obligations while simultaneously taking into account constitutional requirements and matters of national security.
​Ministerial Immunity Voted Down
​In a related development, the Parliamentary Committee for Authorization to Proceed rejected a request to prosecute three ministers: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano. The request was based on their role in Najim’s release. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the decision on 9 October, with the rejection expected to be confirmed given the ruling coalition’s majority.
​The Ministerial Tribunal had accused the three ministers of dereliction of duty and facilitating Najim’s return to Libya. Their actions were reportedly motivated by fears that Italian citizens’ interests could be subjected to potential reprisals, while the Justice Minister had refrained from responding to the ICC’s request to support Najim’s arrest.
​Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed strong support for her ministers, describing the court’s decision to drop the case against her as “absurd.” She stressed that governmental decisions are reached collectively, and responsibility should not be placed on specific ministers in isolation.
​Najim’s Immediate Aftermath in Libya
​Regarding the situation in Libya, Najim was released just two days after his arrest in Turin and returned to Tripoli. He was subsequently removed from his post as head of the Judicial Police apparatus and replaced by Major General Suleiman Ajaj.
​Libyan sources indicated that the security body has begun an internal restructuring process aimed at improving Libya’s image following the international accusations against Najim, which included serious human rights violations. Some of these violations were documented in videos that provoked widespread outrage. The Government of National Unity is now seeking to repair the reputation of its security institutions in the wake of the international controversy surrounding Najim, keen to improve its image before the international community and its judicial bodies.