Judges unveil omissions by Nordio, Bartolozzi’s pivotal role, and the clandestine pact shielding Eni’s interests on the Falcon 900

The Italian judiciary has lifted the veil on a complex narrative of state silence and clandestine alliances centered on the mysterious Volo del Falcon 900. At its core lies the saga of ‘i tre libici’—three Libyan nationals whose fates have been entwined with high-stakes energy deals, covert flights, and a maze of official omissions. The central figure, Ahmed Almasri, finds himself at the heart of mounting accusations that he was the unwitting pawn in a broader effort to protect Italy’s strategic interests, particularly those of Eni, the national energy giant.

The courts’ meticulous reconstruction, spearheaded by a panel of three judges, has exposed significant ‘omissioni’ in the actions of then-Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio. Documents unearthed during the investigation reveal critical delays in gathering evidence and a failure to authorize routine intelligence exchanges that could have clarified the identities and intentions of the three Libyans aboard the Falcon 900. Prosecutors argue that these omissions were not mere oversights but deliberate choices aimed at preserving political cover.

Undersecretary Bartolozzi emerges as a linchpin in this saga. According to testimonies presented in the courtroom, Bartolozzi personally brokered communications between Libyan intermediaries and senior officials in Rome. His clandestine role ensured that sensitive information regarding Almasri’s alleged transactions with Eni never reached parliamentary oversight committees. Witnesses attest that Bartolozzi—though lacking formal authority—wielded immense influence within the corridors of power, shaping the narrative that eventually saw Almasri’s actions recast as innocuous commercial dealings.

Meanwhile, the conduct of Interior Ministers Luigi Piantedosi is under scrutiny. Piantedosi, authorized the impromptu chartering of a Falcon 900 jet on the night of June 12, 2024, ostensibly to repatriate Italian diplomats from Tripoli. However, flight logs and passenger manifests obtained by investigative magistrates indicate that the plane landed in Malta twice, picking up three unidentified passengers who disembarked before touching down in Rome. This ‘giallo degli altri passeggeri’ has fueled suspicions that the operation was engineered to shuttle covert assets under the guise of diplomatic necessity.

Central to public outrage is the ‘patto sporco’—an alleged unholy alliance between Eni executives and shadow operatives within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Secret meeting minutes, uncovered in a server raid, detail promises of Arabian crude at discounted rates in exchange for political favors. Critics argue that Almasri, a mid-level manager at an Eni subsidiary, was sacrificed to contain the fallout of this pact, scapegoated to deflect attention from higher echelons of corporate and governmental power.

Victims’ families, legal scholars, and opposition politicians are demanding accountability at the highest levels. Senator Moretti has called for a parliamentary inquiry into Nordio’s omissions and Bartolozzi’s extrajudicial meddling, warning that unchecked backroom dealings undermine the rule of law. For his part, Nordio has issued a terse statement acknowledging ‘administrative missteps’ but denies any willful misconduct. Bartolozzi has retreated from public view, his last known residence in an undisclosed villa on Lake Como.

The judiciary’s revelations mark a watershed moment in Italy’s ongoing struggle to balance national security with transparency. As the case moves closer to trial, the question remains: will justice be served, or will the powerful interests behind the Falcon 900 flight continue to cast their long shadows over the truth? For Almasri, the flight of silence may prove to be the beginning of a long and arduous fight for vindication.