Prosecutors request six year jail sentence for Italy’s Matteo Salvini

There is still a long way to go before the final sentence, but this week’s hearing will be crucial in the Open Arms trial involving League party leader Matteo Salvini. After Italian prosecutors requested a six-year prison sentence, his lawyer Giulia Bongiorno will present her closing argument, explaining why the former interior minister is innocent.

A few days ago, Patriots for Europe’s far-right leaders rallied in support of Salvini in Pontida. His supporters have collected signatures in his defence, and a group of League party members plans to take to the streets in Palermo on Friday to show their support.

“We have decided to accompany him as we believe this is a political trial and as a political party we want to show Italians that we support our leader,” League MP Simona Loizzo told Euronews. “Most importantly, we want to emphasise that the judiciary takes advantage of these episodes for their political purposes.”

The former Interior Minister has been charged with kidnapping for refusing to allow 147 migrants, rescued by the Spanish NGO Open Arms in 2019, to disembark in Lampedusa. The all-clear to land in Italy arrived only 19 days later.

Duty to protect those in distress at sea

Prosecutors argue that, under the “SAR Convention”, anyone found in distress at sea must be assisted and provided with a place of safety. They also claim that the minister made the decision for his political advantage.

“Salvini, as Interior Minister, acted within the powers of his role and the political mandate given to him,” noted Loizzo, adding that “he had the support of other coalition parties in government at the time. Assistance was provided, and minors were allowed to disembark. It feels like the whole League party has been put on trial.” Former Italian PM Giuseppe Conte and former Foreign Minister Luigi Maio were called as witnesses in the trial.

Matteo Salvini, who was acquitted in a similar case involving migrants rescued by the Gregoretti coast guard ship in July 2019, says he doesn’t regret his actions and that he did it to defend the country. And while waiting for the final sentence, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni and Deputy PM Antonio Tajani expressed solidarity towards the minister.

If convicted, he could be barred from holding government office. But it could take time for that to come into effect as the League leader can decide to appeal the judge’s decision.