Risk 15 yrs in jail, wd do it again -Salvini on Open Arms

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 14 - Deputy Premier, Transport Minister and rightwing anti-immigrant League party leader Matteo Salvini told a Palermo trial where he is accused of kidnapping and refusing to perform official acts for having prevented the landing in Lampedusa as then interior minister five years ago of 147 migrants rescued by Spanish NGO Open Arms that he would do it all again even though he risks facing 15 years in jail if convicted.
    "Defending borders from illegal immigrants is not a crime. I risk 15 years in prison, I would do it all again," he said on social media.
    It is one of multiple proceedings against Salvini for his then hard-line stance blocking migrants from landing in 2019. (ANSA).