Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has said magistrates should not be allowed to proceed with criminal charges against him related to his handling of a case of rescued migrants. Catania's court for ministers has asked the Senate for authorization to proceed with a case in which Salvini is accused of kidnapping for refusing to allow over 100 migrants saved by the Coast Guard to get off the Diciotti ship during a 10-day stand-off with the EU in August.
In a letter published in Tuesday's Corriere della Sera, League leader Salvini said that decision was made "in the public interest" and, therefore, "the judges should be denied authorization". "My judicial case is closely linked to my activities as interior minister and my strong will to keep the commitments made in the election campaign," he added. "I'm convinced that I acted in the supreme interest of the country and within the full respect of my mandate.
"I would do it all again. And I won't give up".
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