The Italian Court of Cassation has confirmed the acquittal of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini in the widely followed Open Arms case. This decision by the court, Italy’s court of last instance, makes the acquittal final, dismissing the appeal by the Prosecutor’s Office of Palermo that sought to annul the initial acquittal from December 2024. The case saw Salvini facing charges of kidnapping and dereliction of duty, stemming from his refusal to allow a migrant rescue vessel to dock in Italy for 19 days in 2019 as part of his “closed ports” strategy. Eventually, the migrants on the boat, operated by Spanish charity Open Arms, were allowed ashore after magistrates intervened and seized the vessel.
The prosecution argued that Salvini’s actions violated several legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which mandates assistance to those in distress at sea, as well as human rights provisions under the European Convention on Human Rights. They claimed that Salvini’s policy lacked a legitimate justification related to emergency or national security, contextually breaching the Italian constitution’s standards on personal liberty. However, the court ultimately did not find the threshold for arbitrary detention to be met and deemed Salvini’s actions justifiable under his political agenda.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the ruling, highlighting that it underscores the non-criminal nature of protecting national borders. Addressing the Italian Senate, she invited applause for the decision, reiterating her belief in the baselessness of the charges against Salvini. On the other side, Oscar Camps, the founder of Open Arms, expressed dissent, arguing that the decision could foster an environment of impunity for human rights violations.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in Europe around migration policies and the balance between national sovereignty and international legal obligations. The courtroom dramas echo previous legal challenges to similar policies across the continent, reflecting broader debates about immigration and human rights. The Italian tribunal in Palermo had previously rejected a request for a six-year prison sentence against Salvini, marking a significant moment in the political narrative surrounding migrant rescues in the Mediterranean.
For more details on the ruling and the background of this case, see JURIST. Additionally, reactions and insights from international legal circles can be further explored in BBC News.