Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday an investigation targeting her over the release of a Libyan war crimes suspect was bad publicity that could push away much-needed foreign investment.

Meloni said that she was suspected by prosecutors of embezzlement and aiding and abetting a crime in connection with the case.

Giorgia Meloni says Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation against her and two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.