The prosecutor demands a six-year prison sentence for Italy’s deputy prime minister in a court case that has been going on for years For Matteo Salvini. In 2019, Salvini prevented an aid organization’s overcrowded migrant ship from entering port for weeks when he was Italy’s interior minister.
Salvini is accused of abuse of office and deprivation of liberty.
The Open Arms ship with 147 migrants was stuck at sea for almost three weeks before it was finally allowed to port after a court order to the island of Lampedusa.
Salvini was not present in court himself on Saturday, but commented on the matter on Facebook.
– I would do the same again. Defending Italy’s borders against illegal immigrants is not a crime, he wrote.
The trial already started in October 2021, and the verdict is finally expected next month. Salvini can appeal the decision.