Migrants expressed their dismay and sense of betrayal on Wednesday over Italy's decision last week to release a Libyan policeman wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and human rights abuses and allow him to return home.

Like all states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Italy has the obligation to arrest individuals sought by the court. Recent developments, however, suggest Italian authorities are seeking to evade that obligation.

Osama Elmasry Njeem is suspected of crimes against humanity including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence as a prison overseer in Tripoli.