Salvini’s Open Arms Acquittal Heads to Supreme Court for Final Decision

Rome: Right-wing League party leader, Deputy Premier, and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini’s acquittal in the Open Arms case is set to be reviewed by Italy’s supreme Court of Cassation on December 11. Salvini announced the court date on Tuesday, describing it as a “present from the Left.”

According to Ansa News Agency, in December, a Palermo court of first instance ruled that Salvini had no case to answer concerning charges of kidnapping and refusal to perform public acts. These charges were related to his decision to block the disembarkation of 147 migrants who were rescued by the Spanish NGO Open Arms vessel in August 2019. This action was part of his stringent closed-ports policy during his tenure as interior minister. Salvini defended his stance, stating, “Defending the homeland is not a crime” after the initial ruling.

The prosecutor’s office has filed a ‘per saltum’ petition, allowing the case to bypass the appeals-court phase and proceed directly to the supreme court. Prosecutors had initially requested a six-year jail term for Salvini, arguing that he wrongfully denied the migrants’ disembarkation on Lampedusa for nearly three weeks, a move intended to curb irregular arrivals. The State attorneys argued that Salvini’s actions were in violation of national and international laws and that he had exceeded his authority since national security was not in jeopardy.

Salvini remains optimistic that his acquittal will be affirmed by the supreme court. Reflecting on the upcoming court date, he remarked, “I just learned that on December 11th, three days after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, fourteen days before Christmas, and three days before my daughter’s birthday, the Left is sending me to the Supreme Court of Cassation as a gift.”

He further elaborated on the possible outcomes, stating, “It could end in two ways: positive, and I promise to come back to celebrate; they confirm the acquittal because I didn’t commit a crime, I defended the borders and the honor of my country. Or they could overturn the 268 pages of my acquittal and send me back to trial where I risk six years in prison.” Salvini added, “If they overturn the acquittal, I’ll still return to (the port of) Lamezia Terme to celebrate because I defended my country and it’s not a crime.”