Deputy Premier and Transport and
Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said Monday that reports
of allegedly bias by the judge who ruled against the
government's migrant decree last week were "serious but not
surprising".
The League has presented a parliamentary question to Justice
Minister Carlo Nordio about the case after daily newspaper Il
Giornale reported on posts on the social-media accounts of the
judge in question, including one in 2018 calling for a motion of
no-confidence in Salvini when he was interior minister.
"The courts cannot be turned into the headquarters of the left,"
the minister said.
Salvini adopted a controversial closed-ports policy to NGO-run
migrant-rescue ships when he interior minister between 2018 and
2019.
He is currently on trial in Palermo for alleged abduction and
refusal to perform official duties after preventing around 150
migrants and refugees on board a rescue ship operated by Spanish
NGO Open Arms from disembarking as part of the policy in August
2019.
A hearing will tale place on Friday.
"I will go to the hearing on Friday in Palermo where I risk up
to 15 years in prison for defending the borders (of Italy) and
drastically reducing (migrant-boat) landings and tragedies at
seam" he said.
"Those who have a clear conscience do not get be intimidated"
He also added that the government will press ahead with reforms
to separate the careers of magistrates and prosecutors and make
magistrates liable under civil law for their mistakes.
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