The government attributed the release to procedural reasons. But critics say it is because Italy depends on Libya to stem the flow of migrants from Africa.

In a stern statement late Wednesday, the International Criminal Court reminded Italy that it is obliged to “cooperate fully” with its prosecutions.

Italy's interior minister said on Thursday a Libyan man detained under an international war crimes arrest warrant and then unexpectedly released had been swiftly repatriated because of his "social dangerousness".

Italian opposition lawmakers and human rights groups are voicing outrage after Italy released a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court

The head of Libya's judicial police has been arrested after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant over war crimes allegations, media reports say. Osama Najim, who directs Tripoli's Mitiga detention centre, was reportedly arrested on Sunday in the Italian city of Turin.

Italian media reports and a Libyan official say police in Turin have arrested a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.

Ossama Anjiem — also known as Ossama al-Masri — was arrested under a International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant then released on a technicality. View on euronews

Italian authorities released the director of a notorious detention camp who had been arrested in Turin on an ICC war crimes warrant.