Judge Iolanda Apostolico, a controversial figure in Italy’s judiciary, has announced her resignation, ending a tumultuous career marked by allegations of political bias and ethical questions surrounding judicial impartiality.
The resignation was formally accepted by the plenum of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), Italy’s governing body for judges, after Apostolico submitted her decision.
Her departure comes after sustained criticism of her rulings that conservative lawmakers argue revealed a partisan political alignment incompatible with her judicial duties.
Apostolico gained notoriety for her alleged 2018 participation in a public demonstration calling for the disembarkation of migrants from the ship Diciotti.
Carrà (Lega): “Sono certo di riconoscere la magistrata Apostolico, che era al porto catanese durante la manifestazione dell’estrema sinistra. La folla gridava assassini e animali in faccia alla polizia per chiedere lo sbarco degli immigrati dalla Diciotti. Mi può smentire?” pic.twitter.com/0zXFi0zrOh
— Lega – Salvini Premier (@LegaSalvini) October 5, 2023The protest opposed a decision by then-Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing League party, to block the migrants’ landing as part of his hardline immigration policies. Critics said her involvement in the protest, alongside alleged politically charged social media activity, exposed a bias that undermined her impartiality.
More recently, in September 2023, Apostolico disapplied the Cutro decree, an executive order implemented by the current government to fast-track the deportation of illegal migrants. Her decision to cancel the detention of asylum seekers at the Pozzallo CPR, citing a conflict with European law, ignited a firestorm of criticism from conservative politicians and media outlets.
Salvini’s League party argued that the judgments of left-wing activist judges reflected a judicial overreach influenced by personal politics.
A referral to the European Court of Justice on the Italian government's ability to declare countries "safe" for the return of illegal migrants could see the Italy-Albania offshore processing deal delayed until next summer. https://t.co/iZghCnyX9S
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) November 12, 2024Italian conservative newspaper Il Giornale reported that Apostolico had previously posted or shared materials on her private Facebook account expressing opposition to Salvini and support for NGOs involved in migrant rescue operations, such as Open Arms.
These posts reportedly included petitions for a vote of no confidence against Salvini during his tenure as interior minister and articles advocating for migrant rights. Apostolico allegedly followed and engaged with the pages of activist organizations, further fueling claims of bias.
The League, in its response to the judge’s resignation, stated: “Better late than never. Now she can act openly as an exponent of Rifondazione Comunista without causing embarrassment to the judiciary.”
Her resignation is effective Dec. 15.
