Meloni said that she was suspected by prosecutors of embezzlement and aiding and abetting a crime in connection with the case.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation over her country's surprise release of a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Meloni’s critics have accused her government of releasing Njeem to protect an agreement with Libya to block the departure of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Ending illegal migration to Italy has been the main pillar of Meloni’s legislative agenda since she came to power in 2022.