The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, is accused, by the NGO Open Arms, of having blocked the disembarkation of around 150 migrants in Lampedusa.
The trial of the NGO Open Arms, in which the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini is accused of “kidnapping” and refusal to perform an act of office, continues in Palermo. In August 2019, when he was Minister of the Interior, Salvini blocked the disembarkation of 147 migrants from the Spanish NGO’s ship in Lampedusa. The minister will be heard today, while at the next hearing, scheduled for February 16, the hearing of the witnesses indicated by Salvini’s defense will begin.
Mr. Salvini: “Proud of what I did.”
In a message published on social networks, in which he is seen entering the courtroom, Mr. Salvini returns to the argument according to which he would have defended the security and borders of the country. “Ready to speak in the courtroom during this trial for which I risk15 years from prison, for having, as Minister of the Interior, defended the security and borders of my country. Head held high, proud of what I have done,” Mr Salvini said.
Oscar Camps: “Salvini is responsible for his actions”.
Open Arms founder Oscar Camps is critical. “Is he decent for a minister of a democratic republic to force 160 vulnerable people, including women and children, to wait 19 days before being able to be rescued, in the nearest port of disembarkation? We think not. See you in court tomorrow,” he wrote on Thursday, January 11, on X. Friday, in court, he made a comment to the journalists present. “I am waiting for justice to be done and answer for the consequences of his actions” said Mr. Camps.
