A claim has been circulating on social media in Libya that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a statement two days before the killing of Libyan coast guard commander, Abdulrahman Milad, also known as "Al-Bidja". The claim, which was first posted on a Facebook page on September 1, 2024, at 7:30 pm Libyan time, alleged that Meloni had called for the elimination of human traffickers and targeting of migrant boats.
However, an investigation by Annir, a fact-checking organization, has found that the claim is misleading. The investigation revealed that the video clip of Meloni's statement was actually published on the X platform on January 2, 2024, with an English translation that read: "We risk becoming Europe's refugee camp, we risk becoming the laughing stock of the world! We need a naval blockade in Libya and we need to sink NGO ships."
Further research by Annir found that the video clip had been widely shared on social media platforms before the killing of Al-Bidja, which occurred on September 1, 2024, in the city of Janzur, west of Tripoli. The investigation also found that the video clip was originally published on July 8, 2019, on the YouTube channel of the Italian political party Fratelli d'Italia, which Meloni has led since 2014.
The investigation also revealed that Meloni's statement was made in 2019, before she became Prime Minister of Italy in October 2022. The Italian newspaper il Fatto Quotidiano had published an article on August 15, 2023, detailing Meloni's controversial statements, including the one in question, which was made in 2019.
The killing of Al-Bidja was reported by the Anadolu Agency on September 1, 2024, as having been carried out by unknown gunmen in the city of Janzur. Annir's investigation concluded that the claim about Meloni's statement being made before the killing of Al-Bidja was misleading, as the video clip was actually from 2019.
The incident highlights the need for fact-checking and verification of information, particularly in the context of sensitive and rapidly developing events. It also underscores the importance of being cautious when sharing information on social media to avoid spreading misinformation.
In conclusion, the claim about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's statement being made before the killing of Libyan coast guard commander Abdulrahman Milad has been deemed misleading. The investigation by Annir found that the video clip was from 2019, and not made recently before the killing.
Key points
- The claim about Meloni's statement was misleading and the video clip was from 2019.
- The killing of Al-Bidja occurred on September 1, 2024, in Janzur, west of Tripoli.
- Meloni became Prime Minister of Italy in October 2022, after making the statement in question.
