Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini faces a trial that could lead to six years in prison for blocking an NGO ship carrying migrants in 2019.
At a Glance
- Italian prosecutors seek a six-year jail term for Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
- Salvini’s 2019 decision blocked the NGO ship Open Arms carrying 147 migrants.
- Salvini faces charges of kidnapping and dereliction of duty.
- The trial began in October 2021, and a verdict is expected soon.
Salvini’s Legal Battle
Italian prosecutors are seeking a six-year jail term for Matteo Salvini, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, over a 2019 incident involving the NGO ship Open Arms. As Italy’s Interior Minister at the time, Salvini refused the ship’s entry, which kept 147 migrants stranded at sea for nearly three weeks. The charges include kidnapping and refusal of official documents, which prosecutors argue violated European and international laws.
Accusations have intensified in recent weeks, focusing on Salvini’s failure to provide a safe port for the distressed passengers. Conditions on the ship deteriorated significantly, leading to a scabies outbreak and a crisis in sanitation with only two toilets on board. Gestures of desperation were evident as several migrants jumped into the sea in an attempt to reach shore.
Political Support and Public Reaction
Despite the legal proceedings, Salvini has staunchly defended his actions. “I would do it all again: defending borders from illegal immigrants is not a crime,” Salvini stated on social media. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other ministers have expressed solidarity with him, arguing that the measures were necessary for Italy’s border security.
🚨🇮🇹 ITALIAN PROSECUTORS SEEK 6-YEAR SENTENCE FOR DEPUTY PM OVER 2019 MIGRANT BLOCKADE
They are accusing Matteo Salvini of blocking 147 migrants from disembarking at an Italian port in 2019.
Salvini, on trial for deprivation of liberty and abuse of office, kept the migrants at… pic.twitter.com/pOzaxLapju
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 15, 2024
Potential Consequences and Legal Proceedings
A conviction holds significant ramifications. Not only could Salvini face six years in prison, but he could also be barred from holding any government office. However, any decision would go through a three-stage judicial process before becoming final. His lawyer, Giulia Bongiorno, is set to present a defense statement on October 18.
“Six years in prison for having blocked arrivals and defended Italy and Italians? Madness. Defending Italy is not a crime,” Salvini maintained.
The trial has also sparked further debate within Italy on the balance between human rights and state sovereignty. Prosecutor Geri Ferrara, for instance, emphasized that human rights should take precedence over state sovereignty in democratic systems.
International Reactions and Historical Context
Internationally, Salvini has received support from like-minded political figures, including French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who described the trial as judicial harassment. The trial aims to establish whether the 2019 blockade was a solo decision by Salvini or part of broader government policy under then-Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
The upcoming verdict will likely have far-reaching consequences for Salvini’s political career and the broader context of Europe’s migration policy.
