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 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.

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.