A Sicilian tribunal has requested authorisation to proceed with action against Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Salvini over the Diciotti case, where he had blocked the disembarkation of 177 migrants for several days.
The tribunal effectively overturned a decision by Catania’s prosecutor’s office in connection with last August's controversial case.
The Catania prosecutor had ruled there were no grounds to probe Salvini.
According to the right-wing deputy leader, the delay in disembarkation was politically justified and related to a case where Malta should have provided a safe port.
The tribunal is now insisting Salvini should face judicial proceedings, with the possibility of ending up in jail.
A defiant Salvini has posted a series of tweets about the decision. Among others he said that he risked three to 15 years in prison for blocking boats with "clandestines" in Italy. Words failed him, he added, but he had zero fear.
In other tweets he said he will not change his position and continue defending Italy's borders.
Ci riprovano.
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 24, 2019
Rischio da 3 a 15 anni di carcere per aver bloccato gli sbarchi dei clandestini in Italia.
Non ho parole.
Paura? Zero.
Continuerò a lavorare per difendere i confini del mio Paese e la sicurezza degli Italiani!#iononmollo #Diciotti
LIVE > https://t.co/4EM0l3Um8g pic.twitter.com/K7TLCyW1ay
#Salvini: Sì lo rivendico, lo confesso e lo ammetto: ho bloccato la procedura di sbarco dei migranti. Mi dichiaro colpevole di questo reato.#Diciotti ????https://t.co/7v5JMyQHEL
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 24, 2019
#Salvini: Io ho applicato l'articolo 52 della Costituzione, che dice che la difesa della Patria è sacro dovere del cittadino, soprattutto se il cittadino è pure ministro. Difesa dei confini, delle regole, del vivere civile, della democrazia.#Diciotti ????https://t.co/7v5JMyQHEL pic.twitter.com/Bm2GSOOWtR
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 24, 2019
GRAZIE a chi mi sta manifestando il suo affetto twittando #SalviniNonMollare, siamo una splendida Comunità!
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 24, 2019
Sí, mi dichiaro colpevole di aver difeso i confini e la Patria.
E non mollo!#Diciotti pic.twitter.com/tAy38yE8I0