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.
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