Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi will report to the Lower House and Senate on Wednesday, live on TV, regarding the case of Libyan general Osama Almasri.
The ministers are scheduled to address the Lower House regarding Almasri at 12:15 and the Senate at 15:30.
Parliamentary sources said the decision was announced during a meeting of party whips on Tuesday, which was still ongoing. The centre-left opposition has repeatedly called on government members, particularly Premier Giorgia Meloni, to report urgently to Parliament over the case. Last week, the opposition effectively shut down Parliament until Monday in protest.
On Monday, League Senator Giulia Bongiorno, acting as the sole attorney for Meloni, Nordio, Piantedosi, and Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano, held a meeting at Palazzo Chigi. The four officials are under investigation following a criminal complaint related to the release and return of Almasri.
Almasri is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes. These crimes include murder, torture, rape, and sexual violence committed in Libya from February 2015 onwards. He was flown back to Libya on a State flight two days after his release on 19 January.
Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani, said Tuesday the government is not deferring to report on the case. “The government is not fleeing Parliament, there is no dilatory intention”. The report will be given by “two very important ministers” who will be “able to provide adequate answers”, said Ciriani.
Asked about Premier Giorgia Meloni personally referring to Parliament, as repeatedly requested by the centre-left opposition, Ciriani replied, “There are two ministers who are able to guarantee utmost information”.
On Monday, a man alleging to be a victim of Almarsi also filed a criminal complaint against the trio of ministers.
