Boat captain rescues immigrants from the sea is arrested when docking in Italy

Carola Rackete is under arrest accused of resistance or violence against a warship, a crime that foresees a sentence between three and 10 years in prison

LAMPEDUSA, Italy - Three days off from Lampedusa, the Sea Watch boat , which rescues immigrants from the sea, docked at the island's port. Captain Carola Rackete decided to proceed, even without having authorizations from the authorities. The ship remained out of port for a few minutes, blocked by a patrol boat, and then headed for the wharf"We are proud of our captain, she did exactly the right thing. She remained true to the law of the sea and brought people back to safety, "Sea Watch president Johannes Bayer told Twitter.

The Lampedusa had 42 immigrants and refugees rescued from the sea on board, who did not land after the arrest of Rackete. It is not yet known what will happen to them, because the decision to land them is contrary to a decree of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, which provides a fine for vessels that rescue immigrants at sea. Opposition politicians have also boarded the last few days, and remain on the ship.

The vessel was at sea with migrants since June 12, sailing in international waters. Initially 53 people had been rescued, of which 11 were withdrawn for health reasons.

According to a new Salvini decree , approved two weeks ago, the captain of the boat and those responsible for the NGO can respond to lawsuits and receive a fine of up to 50,000 euros for the decision to disembark, in addition to having the vessel seized.  where it docked. "Enough, after 16 days we entered the port," wrote the NGO on Twitter.

Shortly thereafter, soldiers boarded the ship and detained the captain, who was taken to the barracks. Rackete is now under arrest accused of resistance or violence against a warship, a crime that provides for a sentence between three and 10 years in prison.

This week, Rackete said he was aware of the risk involved, but that the decision was motivated by the delicate health status of the rescued.

"I have decided to enter the port of Lampedusa, I know what risk I am running, but the 42 shipwrecked on board are exhausted, I will take them to a safe place," he wrote.

Navigating with the Dutch flag, Sea Watch even filed a petition for a preliminary injunction at the European Court of Human Rights, demanding that Italy open its ports because of an emergency. While rejecting the request, the agency called on Roma to "continue to provide the necessary assistance" to vulnerable people on board.

In response to the announcement of Sea Watch, the Italian deputy premier has posted a video on Facebook accusing the organization of a "sordid political game" and says that the governments of Germany and the Netherlands "will respond" for "demonstrated indifference"