Italy’s deputy PM faces kidnapping charges over migrant ship case

Prosecutors in Palermo have formally charged Italy’s far-right Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, with kidnapping and refusal to perform official duties.

The charges stem from his refusal to authorise the docking of a humanitarian vessel, which was carrying almost 150 migrants, for nearly three weeks, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

Despite worsening weather conditions, Salvini declined to sign the necessary documents that would have allowed the ship to disembark. His actions have now led to prosecutors calling for a six-year prison sentence.

Salvini, known for his hardline stance on immigration, has defended his decision, arguing it was in the best interest of national security. The case, however, has brought renewed scrutiny to his policies and Italy's approach to migrant rescue operations.

In 2019, Salvini, then serving as interior minister, was involved in a standoff with the Spanish charity Open Arms.

The impasse lasted 19 days before an Italian court ordered Rome to allow the migrants, who had been rescued from the Mediterranean, to disembark on the island of Lampedusa.

The ordeal of those stranded on board, with at least 15 attempting to swim ashore in desperation, gained widespread international attention. Among those expressing concern were Hollywood actor Richard Gere and Spanish stars Antonio Banderas and Javier Bardem.

Since Meloni assumed office, there have been multiple major incidents of migrant drownings in Italian waters. One of the most tragic was last year’s Cutro shipwreck, where at least 90 individuals from the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan lost their lives when their vessel broke apart just metres from the shore. More recently, this summer, around 60 people, including 26 children, primarily from Afghanistan, are thought to have drowned when another overcrowded migrant boat sank off Italy’s southeastern coast.