Italian prosecutors have called for a six-year prison sentence for Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, accusing him of illegally blocking rescued migrants from disembarking in an Italian port.
During final arguments in Palermo, prosecutors argued that Salvini, then serving as interior minister, violated both Italian law and international conventions in a bid to boost his political profile amid a crisis.
Salvini, who was absent from court, responded by defending his actions. “Six years in prison for blocking arrivals and defending Italy? It’s madness,” he said. “Defending the country is not a crime.”
The case stems from a 2019 incident in which 147 migrants, including 32 minors, were rescued from rubber dinghies in the Mediterranean by the Spanish humanitarian ship Open Arms. Despite appeals from then-Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Salvini refused to allow the migrants to disembark, citing his stance on limiting immigration.
The ship was eventually seized, and the migrants evacuated, leading to charges of kidnapping and refusal to execute official duties against Salvini. The trial, part of a lengthy judicial process, is expected to conclude later this year.
The event, which took place near Lampedusa, drew global attention and criticism. Actor Richard Gere interrupted his vacation in Tuscany to visit the ship and offer support to the migrants. Gere later volunteered to testify about the worsening conditions on board, where an outbreak of scabies and deteriorating mental health among the migrants became a pressing issue.
In his closing statement, prosecutor Geri Ferrara emphasized that “human rights must prevail over state sovereignty in a democratic system.” Salvini, now infrastructure minister in Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, has received support from figures like Marine Le Pen and Elon Musk, who expressed solidarity on social media.
Prime Minister Meloni also criticized the legal proceedings, stating, “It’s incredible that an Italian minister could face six years in prison for defending the nation’s borders.” She is set to meet with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to discuss Italy’s approach to illegal immigration, including offshore asylum processing deals with North African countries and Albania.
