The Italian Judiciary finally got one right, as a court today (20) acquitted Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the fabricated charges of ‘kidnapping over 100 migrants’.
The illegals were aboard a boat that remained blocked at sea for nearly three weeks back in 2019.
As part of his strict policy to curb irregular arrivals, then-Minister Salvini did not authorize the boat to dock on Italian ports.
After a three-year prosecution, the judges rejected the prosecutor’s request to hand a six-year jail term to Salvini.
Salvini is the leader of the rightwing League party, serving as transport minister in Giorgia Meloni’s government.
Reuters reported:
“’I’m happy. After three years, common sense won, the League won, Italy won’, Salvini told reporters, saying that protecting national borders ‘is not a crime, but a right’.”
‘The League wins, common sense wins, Italy wins.’
ACQUITTED in the trial where I was charged with stopping mass immigration and defending my country as Minister of the Interior.
The League wins, common sense wins, Italy wins.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who expressed support and solidarity from around the world. I share my… pic.twitter.com/juWx6EXwEY
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) December 20, 2024
The verdict comes as the Italian Judiciary came under fire as being an obstacle to tackling immigration woes, after a court blocked the Meloni flagship plan to send asylum seekers to Albania.
“Salvini had tried to prevent the Spanish charity Open Arms from bringing 147 asylum seekers to Italy in the summer of 2019, when he was interior minister, as part of his policy of closing Italy’s ports to migrant boats.”
His acquittal was celebrated in the court room and online.
Prime Minister Meloni said it showed the allegations were ‘unfounded and surreal’.
“Before judges withdrew to consider their verdict, prosecutor Marzia Sabella told the court that Salvini had exceeded his powers in refusing to let the ship dock and there were no national security considerations justifying him in preventing the disembarkation.”
Defense said the Open Arms boat had no automatic right to dock in Italy and the migrants could have been taken elsewhere – including Spain – if the charity had been genuinely concerned for their welfare.
“Salvini received backing from far-right allies across Europe this week, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and also from U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, who is advising U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.”
Justice has prevailed! Bravo, @matteosalvinimi! Another victory for the @PatriotsEU!
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 20, 2024
Some leaders from ‘Patriots for Europe’ group:
Upper row: Netherland’s Geert Wilders, Poland PiS’ Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Sweden’s Jimmie Åkesson, Spanish Vox’s Santiago Abascal. Lower row: German AfD’s Alice Weidel, Italy’s Mateo Salvini, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, French RN’s Marine Le Pen.
Read more:
Prosecutors Ask for 6 Years in Prison for Italy’s Conservative Deputy PM Mateo Salvini for Prohibiting Illegal Migrant Boat From Disembarking on Italian Port
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