Italy’s Senate Paves the Way for Salvini Persecution

The Italian Senate has decided to withdraw the inviolability of former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. This means that the leader of anti-immigration party Lega can be prosecuted for having migrants detained on a ship.

 

The politician could get 15 years in jail for abuse of power and illegal detention.

The case revolves around Salvini’s decision to detain migrants on a coastguard ship last year. He wanted to wait until other EU member states were willing to receive them.

Several migrants with medical problems were allowed to disembark, but 116 others were detained for almost a week.

Salvini saw it as a minister as a priority to stop boats with migrants.

“I defended Italy. I have every confidence in the justice system,” Salvini said to ANSA news agency after the Senate vote. He emphasised to be proud of what he did and to pursue the same policy as he comes to power.