Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been placed under investigation over a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Here is the background to the case and a look at what might happen next.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy announced on Tuesday that she was being investigated by Italian prosecutors for her alleged role in aiding and abetting the release last week of a Libyan official wanted on war crimes charges.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni says that Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against her and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Italy released Osama Elmasry Njeem on a technicality after he was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court accusing him of war crimes.

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

Italy's prime minister took to social media on Tuesday to announced that she is being investigated but sounded a defiant note: "I cannot be blackmailed," Giorgia Meloni said. "I will not let myself be intimidated.