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.

ROME (Reuters) -The International Criminal Court demanded answers from Italy on Wednesday over why it freed a Libyan man suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence.

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.

Italy's interior minister says he expelled Libyan warlord wanted by ICC because he posed 'danger' - Italy's interior minister has told lawmakers that he ordered the expulsion of a Libyan warlord sough

The International Criminal Court on Wednesday confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for the head of Libya's judicial police on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, a day after Italy released him.

Italy's release of ICC-indicted Libyan warlord Ossama al-Masri has sparked backlash from opposition and civil society, who accuse Meloni of hypocrisy for pledging to uphold the rule of law and fight global human trafficking.

Italy's government said Thursday a Libyan police chief arrested on a war crimes warrant was flown home after a court found no basis to detain him -- and he was too dangerous to remain.

Al-Masri had been arrested Sunday in Turin, where he reportedly had attended the Juventus-Milan soccer match the night before. The ICC warrant, dated the day before, accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015 that are punishable with life in prison.

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, stated that Najim was repatriated to Libya due to his “social dangerousness” and national security concerns. The controversial move has sparked criticism from human rights groups and the ICC, which demanded an explanation from Italian authorities.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed its surprise at the Italian authorities' release of the head of the Judicial Police, Osama Njeem, after his arrest at the ICC's request. ICC said in a statement on its official website that the Italian authorities released Njeem suddenly and transferred him to Libya without notifying it.