Matteo Salvini expressed pride in his decisions before attending the Open Arms trial at Palermo’s Pagliarelli prison.
“I am proud of what I’ve done. I kept my promises, fought mass immigration, and defended my country,” Salvini stated.
“Today is a beautiful day. I’d do everything again and won’t give up. The affection from Italians keeps me strong,” he added.
Salvini, charged with kidnapping and refusal to perform official duties, allegedly blocked the disembarkation of 147 migrants in Lampedusa in August 2019. The migrants were rescued by the Spanish NGO Open Arms. Prosecutors have requested a six-year sentence.
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara attended the Open Arms trial hearing to support Salvini. “I’m here as his friend to offer solidarity,” Valditara said. Other League members, including Claudio Durigon and Alessandro Morelli, were also present. The party expressed its willingness to ‘mobilise‘ if the verdict is guilty.
Prosecutor Argues for Migrants’ Freedom
Deputy prosecutor Marzia Sabella argued that the case focuses on freedom, not health. “The migrants had the right to disembark because they were free men, not because they were sick,” Sabella said.
She criticised Salvini’s refusal to disembark minors, stating this was the interior minister’s responsibility under SAR regulations. Sabella also rejected claims that Spain held jurisdiction due to Open Arms flying the Spanish flag.
“Jurisdiction belongs to the country in whose waters the vessel is located—in this case, Italy,” she clarified.
The prosecution dismissed Salvini’s national security argument, asserting no valid reasons justified the migrants’ detention. Salvini’s defence requested a brief suspension to prepare counter-replies.
