Interior Minister Matteo Salvini
reiterated Tuesday that the government's fate is not linked to
the Diciotti migrant 'kidnapping' case.
Salvini faces possible trial for allegedly kidnapping 177
migrants aboard a Costa Guard ship, the Diciotti, in a standoff
with the EU in August.
It is not clear whether the government ally of his
anti-migrant League party, the anti-establishment 5-Star
Movement (M5S), will vote to lift his immunity to face trial.
Salvini said the government's fate is not "at all" linked to
the Diciotti case.
"The government is going forward and we have a lot of things
to do," he said. "Salvini is not the country's problem".
Salvini said those who might be thinking of a possible
exchange between the M5S voting against lifting his immunity and
Salvini giving way on the high-speed rail (TAV) line between
Turin and Lyon "should have their heads examined".
Salvini is in favour of the project while the M5S is against
it.
Salvini said he would present a written statement to the
Senate immunity committee which is set to examine the case
starting Thursday.
"Scripta manent, verba volant (writings remain, words fly),
he said using a Latin tag.
He said he was going to th Senate "with my head held high
because I defended the interest of my country and borders and
security".
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