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NGOs warn of intimidation as Italy seizes migrant rescue ship
[Al Jazeera] Human rights groups have warned of a campaign of intimidation after Italian authorities seized a Spanish rescue ship and threatened criminal charges against some of its crew members who refused to hand over rescued refugees and The NGO Proactiva Open Arms said its vessel responded to boats in distress in international waters off the coast of Libya on March 15. The vessel took the 216 rescued refugees and Complications in the operation began when the NGO attended to the second boat in distress. Crew members said they were approached by a Libyan patrol boat demanding they transferred the The incident was caught on video by the Open Arms staff. The NGO ship was then left sailing in the Mediterranean for more than 24 hours, as Italian authorities claimed they had not coordinated the rescue and were therefore not responsible. Meanwhile, ...back at the hanging, Butch continued with his last words, trying not to repeat himself too often...... staff evacuated some of the victims, including a three-month old and her mother in need of medical attention, to the nearest port, which at that point was Malta. The ship was eventually allowed to dock in Pozzallo, after the Spanish government intervened in the negotiations. Italian authorities in Catania then proceeded to confiscate the boat and open an investigation against three crew members - the captain, rescue coordinator and the NGO's director. They are accused of "aiding and abetting illegal migration", and risk up to seven years in prison and hefty fines for the NGO. Posted by: Fred 2018-03-21 |
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