The Open Arms case, involving Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, has emerged as a significant legal and political issue, drawing widespread attention. Salvini faces charges of kidnapping and neglect of official duties for preventing 147 migrants from disembarking from the Spanish NGO ship Open Arms in August 2019. Prosecutors argue that by denying the ship entry for 19 days, Salvini violated international laws governing human rights and asylum. As a result, on September 14, 2024, exactly three years from the start of the trial, the Italian prosecutors in Palermo requested a six-year prison sentence for his allegedly unlawful actions.
At the heart of the case is Salvini’s decision, made while serving as Interior Minister under Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s first government, to prevent the Open Arms vessel from docking at Lampedusa, despite deteriorating conditions aboard. These charges mirror earlier accusations he faced in the Gregoretti case, which ended in a dismissal.
Salvini has consistently defended his actions, framing them as part of a broader government policy to protect Italy from irregular migration, arguing that his decisions aligned with the will of the electorate to enforce stricter border controls. He claims he is only “guilty of defending Italy.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani backed Salvini, claiming the prosecution is politically motivated. He criticized the trial as an attempt to criminalize Salvini for enforcing policies supported by the previous administration. However, prosecutor Geri Ferrara countered, stating, “It is clear that there is nothing political about it. Administrative acts have been carried out. The issuance of a prohibition of boarding is an administrative act.” He clarified that “between human rights and the protection of state sovereignty, human rights must prevail in our democratic system.”
Since the trial began in 2021, it has ignited crucial debates about the role of government officials in migration control, further polarizing Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been an outspoken supporter of Salvini, denouncing the charges as unjust and warning that they could set a dangerous precedent by prosecuting officials for upholding border security. On the other hand, Elly Schlein, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, criticized Meloni for her intervention in the case, reiterating that there is a separation of powers. She stated, “Institutional respect would require not commenting on ongoing trials.”
What is clear is that this case has been politicized, potentially garnering support for the right-wing agenda of closing borders and reducing the influx of migrants. Despite the political framing, the facts remain: 147 migrants were left at sea in perilous conditions for 19 days, a clear violation of their human rights.
The final verdict will have far-reaching implications for Italy’s political landscape and future migration policies. The outcome will not only impact Salvini’s political future, but it could also shape Italy’s approach to handling migration crises moving forward.
