Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini stood defiant as he arrived in Palermo on Friday for the final hearing of his trial over the 2019 detention of the NGO-operated ship Open Arms, carrying 147 migrants.
Salvini, then serving as minister of the interior, refused the vessel immediate docking permission on the grounds of national security amid vows to combat illegal immigration, a decision that has led to charges of abuse of power and violating international conventions.
Speaking to journalists outside the courthouse, Salvini described the day as “joyous,” emphasizing that his actions were in defense of Italy. “I kept my election promises, combating mass immigration and reducing departures, landings, and deaths at sea,” he said, reaffirming that he would take the same action again.
“Whatever the sentence, today is a good day for me because I am proud to have defended my country,” he added.
On social media platform X, he posted: “I enter this room PROUD of my work, for Italy and for Italians.”
Qui Palermo, carcere Pagliarelli.
Ho mantenuto le promesse, contrastando l’immigrazione di massa e riducendo partenze, sbarchi e morti in mare. Qualunque sarà la sentenza, per me oggi è una bella giornata perché sono fiero di aver difeso il mio Paese.
Rifarei tutto quello che ho… pic.twitter.com/4OFaDEnSND
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) December 20, 2024The charges stem from Salvini’s refusal to allow the Open Arms migrant vessel to dock in Italy in August 2019, leaving those aboard the ship stranded for nearly three weeks. Prosecutors have accused Salvini of taking hostages and violating international conventions, seeking six years in prison and €1 million in damages. The trial, held in the bunker room of Palermo’s largest prison, is seen by his defense team as politically motivated.
The defense argued that the decision to block the ship was a collective one by Giuseppe Conte’s government at the time, not Salvini acting unilaterally. Salvini’s lawyers further accused Open Arms of rejecting alternative safe docking options to deliberately provoke the Italian government.
The trial has drawn significant attention from activists and NGOs. Oscar Camps, founder of Open Arms, attended the hearing alongside dozens of supporters. Critics argue Salvini’s actions endangered lives, while his supporters view the trial as an attack on a politician fulfilling his electoral mandate.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as a multitude of European conservatives, have publicly backed Salvini, who currently serves as minister of infrastructure and transport. Salvini assured his followers he would not resign regardless of the verdict.
The court began deliberating its first-degree, non-binding verdict on Friday afternoon with a judgment expected late on Friday evening.
