Open Arms Trial, the post of Salvini's girlfriend Francesca Verdini before the sentence

“You are the best and bravest person I have ever met.” Francesca Verdini, Matteo Salvini's partner, wrote this in a long post of encouragement on Instagram on the day of the sentence for the Open Arms trial in which the leader of the League was accused of Palermo. “You are loyal to the point of always being ready to lose out – writes Verdini – because you don't care about losing out. You have understood something deeper than life, and I am so grateful to you for giving me access to it. it's anger, revenge or suspicion in the world where you take me. You are patient with my melancholy, understanding with my sadness and my fears, to the point of transforming them into hope. Despite the price of your sacrifices, you are always willing to see the good in everyone You make me better every day, or at least, you make me hope I can be. It's true, it's all difficult, but still possible thanks to you.” And she concludes: “I couldn't be more proud and grateful, Hold on, my love. I'm by your side.” (JUDGMENT OF THE OPEN ARMS TRIAL – LIVE UPDATES)

The sentence

For today, December 20, the sentence is expected against Matteo Salvini, accused of kidnapping and refusal of official documents for having prevented the disembarkation in Lampedusa of 147 migrants rescued by the Spanish NGO Open Arms in August 2019, when the leader of the league was Minister of the Interior. Salvini's lawyer, the former Minister of Public Administration Giulia Bongiorno, asked for acquittal for him “because the fact does not exist”. The prosecutor instead asked for 6 years in prison. The deputy prime minister arrived in Palermo this morning: “I am absolutely proud of what I have done, I have kept the promises I made, I have opposed mass immigration”, he told journalists. “Whatever the sentence is, for me today it is a good day because I am proud to have defended my country. I would and will do everything I have done and I am happy with the demonstrations of affection that so many Italians are showing me.