Italy’s ex-minister in court: Salvini faces 15 years imprisonment for ship blockade

Italy’s ex-minister in court
Salvini faces 15 years imprisonment for blocking ships

Deprivation of liberty and abuse of office? In the summer of 2019, Italy’s then Interior Minister Salvini prevented a rescue ship from docking in Lampedusa. More than 150 people are trapped on board. Some jump into the sea out of desperation. Salvini has to answer to the court today for the blockade. No trace of insight.

This Saturday is an important day for Matteo Salvini. In Palermo, the former Italian interior minister has to answer to the court in the case of the blocked sea rescue ship “Open Arms”. The head of the right-wing Lega party is said to have prevented the ship of the Spanish aid organization from entering a port in his time as minister in August 2019. The public prosecutor’s office accuses the 48-year-old of deprivation of liberty and abuse of office. He could face 15 years imprisonment if convicted.

Salvini was Interior Minister in the first cabinet of the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, the predecessor of the current Prime Minister Mario Draghi, from June 2018 to September 2019. His anti-migration line was considered tough. In the course of the process, the court also wants to hear the then government advisor and current interior minister Luciana Lamorgese as well as the then minister for labor and social policy and current foreign minister Luigi Di Maio.

According to its own statements, the “Open Arms” rescued more than 160 people in the Mediterranean from distress on their 65th mission in August 2019. The first deployment was on August 1st, and two more followed. Nine days later, US actor Richard Gere and other helpers brought supplies to the ship. The authorities repeatedly evacuated people from the ship for medical reasons.

Richard Gere is supposed to testify in the process

The “Open Arms” was in front of Lampedusa from around mid-August, but was not allowed to dock there in the port by order of Salvini. The sanitary situation and tension on board came to a head. Desperate people repeatedly jumped into the water and tried to swim on land. It was only when the public prosecutor’s office ordered the landing that Salvini gave in. The remaining migrants were finally allowed to go ashore.

Salvini had repeatedly emphasized that he had defended Italy with his actions and acted in the interests of the government. He described the trial against him as “political”. The “Open Arms” is a “pirate ship”. The process started on September 15th. As expected at the time, the negotiation was postponed to this Saturday at the beginning. According to reports, helper and Hollywood star Richard Gere should also testify.

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