Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has been acquitted of all charges related to his refusal to allow the migrant rescue boat Open Arms to dock at Italian ports back in 2019. This ruling was delivered by judges presiding over the case in the Sicilian city of Palermo, where they cleared Salvini of two counts of kidnapping and dereliction of duty, after prosecutors had pursued a six-year prison term for the far-right politician.
The case dates back to when Salvini was the interior minister under the first government of then-prime minister Giuseppe Conte, serving from 2018 to 2019. At the start of his tenure, he made headlines by declaring Italian ports closed to civilian search and rescue ships. This policy led to numerous stand-offs between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Italian authorities, particularly during the summer of 2019 when the Open Arms was at the center of controversy.
On August 2019, the Open Arms was stopped from docking at Lampedusa with 147 asylum seekers onboard. The ship, run by the Spanish NGO of the same name, was left at sea for nearly three weeks amid worsening conditions for the people aboard, some of whom suffered from health issues, including scabies. Desperate, some migrants jumped overboard, pleading with authorities for rescue. It wasn’t until after 19 days, following heavy media coverage and public outcry, when local prosecutors ordered their disembarkation.
Following the acquittal verdict, Salvini expressed relief and boldness. "I’m happy. After three years, common sense won, the League won, Italy won," he told reporters after the ruling. He reiterated his belief, saying, "Protecting our country's borders from smugglers is not a crime," adding this was all part of his commitment to combatting mass immigration. Cheers erupted from supporters gathered outside the court, marking this judicial ruling as vindication for Salvini and his policies.
The three-year trial consisted of 24 hearings and included testimonies from 45 witnesses, including Hollywood actor Richard Gere, who voiced his thoughts on the humanitarian crisis. The prosecution argued fervently, stating the preserve of life at sea holds precedence over agreements made to handle irregular migration. Despite this perspective, judges concluded there was insufficient evidence to convict Salvini of the crimes he was charged with.
Reactions to the verdict extended beyond Italy. Various political allies across Europe, from Marine Le Pen of France to Viktor Orbán of Hungary, congratulated Salvini, acknowledging his fight against immigration. Also, messages of support flooded Salvin’s way, even from high-profile figures like Elon Musk, who recently expressed his belief on social media platforms, stating, “That mad prosecutor should be the one who goes to prison for six years.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni showed her support for Salvini post-verdict, stating, "Defending Italian borders can never be a crime," and reinforced her dedication to pursuing stringent migration policies. Many from Salvini's party, the League, echoed similar sentiments, seeing the acquittal as validation of their long-held positions against illegal immigration. Luca Zaia, Governor of the Veneto region, similarly declared, "Justice has been done; Salvini acted in the legitimate interest of our country."
Opposition leaders, particularly from the center-left, did not hold back their criticism. Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, accused Salvini of utilizing the judiciary for political aims: "We will continue to fight against rhetoric aimed at collaboration with far-right parties,” she asserted.
Salvini's acquittal stirred intense discussion within Italy's political sphere. Supporters celebrate what is seen as safeguarding national interests, whereas critics lament the potential dangers of lax judicial repercussions for human rights violations at sea.
Looking forward, the verdict marks not just Salvini's personal situation but also reflects broader tensions between Italian governance and humanitarian obligations. The trial and the decision demonstrate the fraught narratives surrounding migration policies, political identity, and national sovereignty, issues likely to remain at the forefront of Italian politics well beyond this court case.
