Prosecutors have asked judges to jail Italy’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini over his 2019 decision to stop a ship carrying more than 100 migrants from landing in the country.
Prosecutors in the city of Palermo have requested a six-year sentence for alleged kidnapping over the incident, which happened when Mr Salvini was interior minister.
The vessel, operated by the charity Open Arms, was stranded in the Mediterranean Sea for 19 days due to his refusal, with some passengers throwing themselves into the sea in desperation amid an “extreme humanitarian emergency” on board.
The remaining 89 people on the vessel were eventually allowed to disembark in Lampedusa following a court battle.
Mr Salvini, the leader of Italy‘s right-wing League party, could be banned from holding government office if he is convicted.
His lawyers will present his defence case in mid-October and he could receive his first sentence weeks later.
However, a conviction in Italy applies only at the end of a three-stage judicial process and a senior judge will make the final decision.
Mr Salvini has denied any wrongdoing.
He said on social media: “I would do it all again: defending borders from illegal immigrants is not a crime.”
During his 14 months as interior minister, he stopped several boats from docking in Italy and accused migrant rescue charities of encouraging people smuggling.
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Mr Salvini also serves as transport minister under prime minister Giorgia Meloni‘s right-wing government.
She offered her full support to her cabinet colleague, writing on social media: “It is incredible that a minister of the Italian Republic risks six years in prison for doing his job of defending the nation’s borders, as required by the mandate received from the citizens…
“My total solidarity with minister Salvini”.
Open Arms, which is based in Spain, has welcomed the case, writing on social media that it “expects justice”.