Italy: Meloni Outraged Over Compensation to German NGO Sea Watch

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed strong disapproval of a court decision awarding €76,000 in compensation to the German NGO Sea Watch.

A court in Palermo ruled that the seizure of a Sea Watch vessel, which had disembarked 42 migrants and refugees in Lampedusa in June 2019, was illegal.

The case involves captain Carola Rackete, who entered the port of Lampedusa despite a ban by then Transport Minister Matteo Salvini. Rackete was arrested, but her case was later dismissed.

Meloni stated that the decision "leaves everyone speechless," questioning whether judges should "reward those who boast of not respecting the law."

Sea Watch argued that the decision vindicates "political disobedience."