(ANSA) - Catania, May 25 - A Catania judge on Monday put off, for the third time due to the coronavirus crisis, a preliminary hearing into former interior minister Matteo Salvini's alleged 'kidnapping' of rescued migrants aboard a coast guard ship last July.
The hearing will take place on October 3, the judge ruled.
Nationalist opposition League party leader Salvini refused a landing berth to the 131 migrants aboard the Gregoretti ship from July 27 to 31, when authorisation to land at Augusta near Siracusa came from a judge.
It is not the only migrant 'kidnap' case in which prosecutors have asked to put Salvini on trial.
He has described any such trial as a "badge of honour".
Salvini says he was defending Italy's borders.
During his 14-month stint as interior minister Salvini denied access to Italian waters to NGO run migrant rescue ships.
Salvini migrant 'kidnap' hearing put off till Oct 3
Third postponement due to COVID emergency