
Giorgia Meloni vs. the International Criminal Court
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced January 28 that she is under investigation for releasing Libyan police official Brig. Gen. Osama Njeem out of captivity. Njeem is wanted by the International Criminal Court (icc) on charges of crimes against humanity. These are in connection to alleged murder, torture and rape.
Njeem was arrested on January 19 in Turin, Italy. Italy is a member state of the icc. As such, it is obligated to comply with icc warrants for individuals.
However, the Italian government claims Njeem’s arrest didn’t comply with a technicality. In a video posted on X, Meloni claimed the icc failed to notify Italy’s Justice Ministry of the warrant. Njeem was then flown back to Libya on a government plane. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi claimed he ordered the deportation “for reasons of state security.”
Italian prosecutors are investigating Meloni over misusing public funds and aiding and abetting Njeem. Piantesodi and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio are also under investigation. There are no formal charges yet.
“I will not be blackmailed,” Meloni said in her video. “I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which is why I am disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better.”
Why the Fuss?
Njeem works for Libya’s Reform and Rehabilitation Institution, which runs detention centers infamous for allegations of cruel treatment of inmates. Njeem headed Mitiga Detention Center in Tripoli, Libya’s capital.
Libya is central to Italy’s plan to combat illegal migration from Africa. Italy trains and funds Libya’s Coast Guard to intercept boats carrying migrants and return them for detention. Libya also receives heavy Italian investment for other projects.
This conflict of interest is why many suspect the government’s actions were politically motivated. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani shrugged off the icc’s request, claiming it wasn’t in Italy’s national interests to comply with the warrant. He told reporters the icc “is not the word of God, it’s not the font of all truth,” adding that “Italy is a sovereign country and we make our own decisions.”
This isn’t the first time the icc has caused problems in a Western democracy recently. Late last year, the icc released an indictment for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s war effort in Gaza.
But Italy is not Israel. Israel is not an icc member state. It is in a war for its national survival against a jihadist neighbor, a war that has been suspended since January 19. Rome, meanwhile, is where the treaty that gave birth to the icc was signed in 1998. Europe’s major powers are generally the icc’s most public and influential backers. In this case, the icc warrant doesn’t even concern an Italian national. Why is Italy flouting the court it helped create?
Because Libya is a national security issue for Italy.
What’s So Special About Libya?
Italy, as one of Europe’s southernmost landmasses, is a common first stop for illegal migrants. Over 157,000 migrants sailed into Italy in 2023 alone. Libya meanwhile, on North Africa’s coast, is a common departure country. Libya is also a failed state with enough problems of its own. Italy needs to generously prop up Libya’s security services if it doesn’t want migration to grow worse. This means supporting shady characters like Njeem. In this case, it may even mean helping them escape international arrest warrants.
If Meloni consented to sending somebody she’s bankrolled like Njeem to the icc, the Libyan government would have little reason to trust her for protection. Libya could stop enforcing the migrant deal. News that Libya has stopped sending migrants to jail would spread through Africa like wildfire, resulting in a migrant surge bigger than ever.
Winston Churchill in World War ii called Italy Europe’s “soft underbelly.” Libya, in many respects, is Italy’s soft underbelly. Between Libya’s never-ending civil war, its launchpad for migrants and the military presence of hostile countries like Russia on Libyan soil, Italy needs to keep Libya secure. Otherwise, Libya’s problems would quickly become Italy’s problems. Italy’s willingness to ignore international law to maintain influence shows how important Libya is.
What to Watch For
The Trumpet watches Libya because of a prophecy in Daniel 11. Verses 40-42 discuss a clash between two end-time power blocs. One, called “the king of the north,” is a uniting European power. The other, “the king of the south,” is an Islamist bloc led by Iran. This clash is caused by Iran’s bloc “pushing,” or violently provoking, Europe. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s booklet The King of the South elaborates on this prophecy.
Iran won’t be the only country to hurt Europe. Daniel 11:43 implies other countries Europe attacks will be in Iran’s camp: “But [the king of the north] shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.”
“The prophecy about Libya and Ethiopia unlocks Iran’s military strategy!” Mr. Flurry writes in The King of the South. “The king of the south is going to push at the king of the north, probably brandishing its power over the Mediterranean-Red Sea route. Libya, Ethiopia and the other nations along the Red Sea play a key role in Iran’s trade route strategy. That push will be a dramatic act of war that will provoke a violent response from the king of the north.”
Much has to happen before circumstances are ready for this clash. Libya is not in Iran’s camp—yet. But it is vulnerable to foreign influence. When Libya is vulnerable, Italy is vulnerable. And when Italy is vulnerable, all of Europe is vulnerable. This makes what is going on in Italy right now important.
To learn more, request a free copy of The King of the South.