Former Italian Interior Minister Faces Six-Year Prison Sentence for Blocking Migrants in 2019
Italian prosecutors have requested a six-year prison sentence for right-wing leader Matteo Salvini, following his 2019 decision, while serving as Minister of the Interior, to block over 100 North African migrants from entering Italy.
The migrants were stranded at sea for days, leading prosecutors in Palermo to charge Salvini with "kidnapping."
If convicted, Salvini could be barred from public office. Salvini, now the Minister of Transport and Deputy Prime Minister, defends his actions, claiming he was protecting Italy's borders. The verdict is expected by the end of next month.
Salvini’s supporters, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, argue that he was fulfilling his duty to safeguard Italy from illegal immigration.
The case has sparked controversy, as Salvini is accused of violating laws by preventing 147 migrants from disembarking in Italy in August 2019. This is not his first trial for similar actions; he was previously acquitted in a 2021 case.
At the time of the 2019 incident, Salvini’s hardline stance made him a polarizing figure, and his policies drew criticism from international humanitarian organizations.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, current data shows that illegal immigration to Italy via the sea has dropped by two-thirds compared to last year.