ROME (Reuters) –

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concerns on Thursday about an investigation against her regarding the release of a Libyan war crimes suspect. She stated that this situation could deter crucial foreign investment.

> “The point is that what is happening above all damages the nation … That is what frankly drives me a little crazy,” Meloni stated during a business conference in Milan via video link.

The investigation involves allegations of aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds related to the repatriation of senior Libyan police officer Osama Elmasry Njeem. Njeem was arrested in Turin on January 19 under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, but was released two days later due to a procedural error and flown back to Libya.

Meloni criticized the judiciary, claiming that the investigation harms Italy’s international reputation, pointing out that reports of her investigation reached the front page of the Financial Times. She warned that this negative publicity could discourage investments from entities like Norway’s wealth fund, Norges, which recently raised its investment in Italian sovereign bonds to over 8 billion euros ($8.33 billion).

> “After reading this news, do you think that this Norwegian investment fund that has just bought 8 billion euros of Italian government bonds will be more likely to buy 9 (billion), 7 (billion), or maybe zero?” Meloni questioned.

The investigation, which also involves three other government officials, is unlikely to reach trial due to parliamentary procedure, where Meloni’s government holds a strong majority.

Despite the controversy and a stagnant economy, Meloni and her conservative allies continue to enjoy popularity, with her Brothers of Italy party reaching an almost two-year high of over 30% in recent opinion polls.

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