Judges at the International Criminal Court have officially asked Italy on Monday to explain why the country released a Libyan man suspected of torture, murder and rape rather than sending him to The Hague.

Italy’s justice minister strongly defended the government's decision to repatriate a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court, saying Wednesday that the court itself had made an "immense mess” of the case.

Judges at the International Criminal Court are investigating whether Italy's release of a Libyan military officer wanted for war crimes by the tribunal breaches the court's statute, a court spokesperson said on Monday.

Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri. Judges at the International Criminal Court have officially asked Italy on Monday to explain why the country released a Libyan man suspected of torture,