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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Osama Elmasry Njeem faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over his role in running notorious prison

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

A Libyan warlord was arrested in Italy on an ICC warrant but was expelled back to Libya after a tribunal's refusal to approve the arrest.

Italy detained a Libyan suspect on the back of an ICC arrest warrant, but he was swiftly released and flown home to Tripoli.