Italy’s deputy PM faces possible jail time for blocking migrant boat
Matteo Salvini (Photo by Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg)
Italian prosecutors are seeking a six-year prison sentence for Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini over his decision in August 2019 to block a migrant boat from docking. The boat, operated by the Spanish charity Open Arms, was kept at sea for nearly three weeks before a court order allowed it to dock on the island of Lampedusa.
Salvini, who was Italy’s interior minister at the time, faces charges of kidnap and dereliction of duty, which he denies. On Saturday, he defended his actions, stating that he was “guilty of defending Italy and Italians” and wanted to prevent the country from becoming “a refugee camp for all of Europe.”
Migrants kept at sea for weeks
The Open Arms ship was carrying 147 migrants, rescued off the coast of Libya, when it was barred from docking in Lampedusa. The island, a frequent landing point for migrants attempting to enter Europe, has seen thousands of arrivals in recent years.
As interior minister, Salvini implemented a strict “closed ports” policy, which he argued would deter human trafficking by reducing incentives for smugglers. However, during the trial, crewmembers testified that the migrants’ health and sanitary conditions deteriorated while they were held offshore, including an outbreak of scabies.
Human rights vs. state sovereignty
Prosecutor Geri Ferrara argued that “human rights must prevail” over state sovereignty in a democratic system. “Between human rights and the protection of state sovereignty, it is human rights that must prevail in our fortunately democratic system,” Ferrara told the court.
Salvini, in his January testimony, stated that he understood “the situation (on the ship) was not at risk” at the time. A verdict in the trial, which began in October 2021, is expected next month. If convicted, Salvini could face a six-year prison sentence and be barred from holding public office.
Salvini’s response
Following the prosecutors’ request, Salvini took to social media, reiterating his stance that “defending Italy is not a crime.” He added, “Thanks to my government’s actions, landings, deaths, and disappearances in the Mediterranean Sea decreased.” Salvini also pointed out that “this Spanish ship was never prevented from going anywhere, except to Italy.”
“No government and no minister in history has ever been accused or put on trial for defending the borders of his own country,” Salvini added.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini shared his thoughts about this issue via social media, he said, “Italians have clear ideas: stopping the business of illegal immigration to defend Italy is a duty.”
“Today in Palermo the public prosecution will make its requests at the trial in which I am accused of kidnapping. I risk up to fifteen years in prison for keeping my word to voters. I would do it all again: defending borders from illegal immigrants is not a crime. Full speed ahead, without fear,” he also said in another tweet.
Political support for Salvini
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her support for Salvini, saying it is “It is incredible that a Minister of the Italian Republic risks 6 years in prison for having done his job defending the borders of the Nation, as required by the mandate received from the citizens.” Meloni further warned that turning the protection of Italy’s borders “into a crime the duty to protect the Italian borders from illegal immigration is a very serious precedent.”
Salvini, the head of the Northern League party, which opposes illegal migration, currently serves in a coalition government with Meloni’s Five Star Movement.
