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Former Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is due to appear in court on September 15 for arresting boat people. In the summer of 2019, he denied a ship carrying 147 migrants access to the port of Lampedusa. Salvini faces a fifteen-year prison sentence for this.
A judge in the Sicilian city of Palermo gave the green light to the prosecution during a pro forma hearing to prosecute former minister Salvini for multiple hostage-taking. Salvini refused to allow the Open Arms rescue vessel with 147 migrants on board to enter the port of Lampedusa in August 2019.
The migrants, including 32 minors, spent a total of nineteen days on the high seas, until a judge ruled the minister was wrong. Salvini was forced to admit the ship to the port of the island.
Blockade
Salvini’s lawyer insisted during the defense that the former minister did not act alone and that the blockade implemented the policy of the then government of Prime Minister Conte.
The same arguments led to dismissal in a similar case. In July 2019, Minister Salvini also denied the warship Gregoretti access to the port of Catania, the second largest city in Sicily. 131 migrants were on board. Earlier this month, the city judge decided not to prosecute.
In Palermo, Salvini faces a prison sentence of up to fifteen years. On his social media, the former minister quoted article 52 of the Italian Constitution after the trial. “It is the sacred duty of every citizen to defend the homeland,” he wrote. “Am I on trial for this, for defending my country?” I go with my head held high, also on your behalf. Italy first. Always.”
Matteo Salvini’s trial will begin in Palermo on September 15.
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