<p>Rome: 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.</p><p>Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem, was released last week after being detained a few days earlier under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.</p><p>The ICC demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision.</p><p>Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she was suspected by prosecutors of embezzlement and aiding and abetting a crime in connection with the case.</p><p>She is under no obligation to resign, and being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow.</p><p>"I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which is why I am, let's say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," Meloni said in a video posted on her Facebook profile.</p><p>Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation, Meloni said.</p>
<p>Rome: 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.</p><p>Osama Elmasry Njeem, also known as Osama Almasri Njeem, was released last week after being detained a few days earlier under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.</p><p>The ICC demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision.</p><p>Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she was suspected by prosecutors of embezzlement and aiding and abetting a crime in connection with the case.</p><p>She is under no obligation to resign, and being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, nor mean that formal charges will necessarily follow.</p><p>"I will not be blackmailed, I will not allow myself to be intimidated, which is why I am, let's say, disliked by those who do not want Italy to change and become better," Meloni said in a video posted on her Facebook profile.</p><p>Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters, Alfredo Mantovano have also been placed under investigation, Meloni said.</p>