Italy's prime minister on Saturday addressed growing criticism of the repatriation of a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court, as Giorgia Meloni cited an appeals court order and security concerns.

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.

Italy's interior minister has told lawmakers that he ordered the expulsion of a Libyan warlord sought by the International Criminal Court due to security concerns.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has defended the swift deportation of Libyan war crimes suspect Osama Elmasry Njeem, citing concerns about his "social dangerousness." Njeem, detained in Turin under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant,

Human rights groups voiced outrage Wednesday after Italy released a Libyan warlord on a technicality, after he was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ossama Anjiem, who runs a major Libyan prison, was in Italy to watch a soccer match. He returned home after an Italian court found issues with the warrant for his arrest.

Opposition parties and NGOs are demanding the Italian government explain why the director of Libya's notorious Mitiga prison was not jailed.

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.