Returned migrants sail back to Bari after the suspension of their transfer to Albania

MADRID 19 Oct. () –

The twelve migrants returned by Albania after the Italian Judiciary suspended their transfer left this morning on an Italian Coast Guard ship heading to the port of Bari.

The ship left the Albanian port of Shengjin at 08:52 this Saturday, as confirmed by the Italian newspaper ‘La Stampa’.

A court in Rome this Friday declared illegal the detention in Albania of the migrants transferred this week from Italy and ordered their return, arguing that the countries of origin of these people, Bangladesh and Egypt, cannot be considered safe.

Four of the 16 asylum seekers affected by the order had previously left for Italy, because they are two minors and two other people declared vulnerable after an initial review.

The Rome court had determined the annulment of the police detention order issued against the migrants – at least four, according to the ruling – which therefore means that they cannot be detained. He maintains that only in Italy is the freedom to which they are entitled guaranteed.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has said it will appeal the ruling and will hold a special council of ministers on Monday. “I don’t think it is the job of the judiciary to decide which countries are safe, it is the job of the Government,” said the leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party.