Italy’s deputy prime minister acquitted in migrants kidnapping case

By Giovanni Legorano

ROME (AA) – A Sicilian court acquitted Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini on Friday of charges of kidnapping a group of irregular migrants, a verdict that is likely to reinforce him politically.

Salvini attempted to prevent the Spanish charity Open Arms from bringing 147 asylum seekers to Italy in the summer of 2019 as part of his then-interior minister policy of closing Italian ports to irregular migrant boats to reduce new arrivals.

The deputy premier has repeatedly said he did it to defend national borders, citing threats to national security. At the same time, he accused charities of serving as a "pull factor" for irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Northern Africa to Europe.

The local court in Palermo said he was acquitted because the "fact did not exist." Prosecutors had requested that Salvini be sentenced to six years in prison.

“Great satisfaction for the acquittal of deputy prime minister Salvini in the Open Arms trial. A verdict that shows how groundless and surreal the accusations were,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement after the verdict was announced.

The contentious trial has divided Italian public opinion, with supporters of the center-right government hailing Salvini's spectacular blockades of ports to charities transporting migrants rescued at sea, while opponents claim he acted ruthlessly.

He had vowed not to back down if convicted in the first instance. Meloni has repeatedly expressed her support for him.

Earlier when Salvini entered the courtroom, he said, "I am absolutely proud of what I did. I kept the promises I made, I fought mass immigration, and, whatever the sentence, for me today is a good day because I am proud to have defended my country."

Italian media reported that center-right lawmakers applauded the verdict during a debate in parliament in Rome.