ROME. In August 2019, the NGO ship Open Arms, with 147 migrants on board, including many minors, saved in various operations, asked Italy for a safe port. Italy – with Matteo Salvini Minister of the Interior – prohibits entering Italian waters in light of the security decrees.
The answer is a ban: the green light after the appeal to the TAR
Tension rises on the ship, the migrants are exhausted and need assistance. The NGO presents a series of appeals to the juvenile court of Palermo and Agrigento. The TAR suspends the ban on entering Italian waters, and the ship heads towards the mainland.
Open Arms Trial: live sentencing day
Tension and illness on the ship: yes to disembarkation after 19 days
After 19 days of waiting and the urgent transfer of some migrants for medical reasons, the prosecutor of Agrigento boards the ship and decides to order the disembarkation and preventive seizure of the ship. On August 20, the ship docked in Lampedusa with 83 people on board.
The minister sent to trial, then the trial in Palermo
On 17 April 2021, once the investigation was concluded, Matteo Salvini was sent to trial, accused of kidnapping and refusal of official documents for depriving the migrants, including minors, who remained on board the ship of their personal freedom. The prosecution asked for a 6-year sentence. But acquittal arrived.
