Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini wants Malta to open its ports to migrants coming from Africa, according to a tweet Friday.
Salvini, the newly elected interior minister from the nationalistic Lega Nord party, tweeted that Malta should take more action to help out with the migrant crisis. Salvini refused entry to a German NGO Mission Lifeline ship carrying 239 migrants to dock in Italy Thursday after vowing to crackdown on illegal immigration. (RELATED: Salvini: Italy Doesn’t Want To Be A Part Of The ‘Illegal Immigrant Business’)
“The lawless ship Lifeline is now in Malta’s waters with a cargo of 239 immigrants. For the safety of the crew and passengers, we have asked Malta to open its ports. It is clear that the ship will then have to be seized, and its crew detained,” Salvini tweeted, adding that “sea trafficking” should never happen again, Politico reported. (RELATED: Italian Politician Says Sending Back Illegal Immigrants Is A Top Priority)
La NAVE FUORILEGGE #Lifeline è ora in acque di Malta, col suo carico di 239 immigrati.
Per sicurezza di equipaggio e passeggeri abbiamo chiesto che Malta apra i porti.
Chiaro che poi quella nave dovrà essere sequestrata, ed il suo equipaggio fermato.
Mai più in mare a trafficare.
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) June 22, 2018
Salvini’s remarks follow his refusal to allow rescue ship the Aquarius carrying 639 migrants from Libya to dock in Italy on June 9. He argued the ship should instead dock in Malta since it is closer to Libya. The Aquarius ended up docking in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, according to The Guardian.
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