Italy under fire for releasing Libya warlord accused of war crimes

Italian justice minister Carlo Nordio puts his hand to his head during the presentation of the report on the justice administration at the Senate in Rome (Roberto Monaldo//LaPresse via AP)

Human rights groups have voiced outrage after Italy released a Libyan warlord who was arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Hague-based court issued a more diplomatic response but its anger appeared evident.