Prosecutors request six year jail sentence in migrant trial for Italy’s deputy PM Matteo Salvini

League members rallied in his support on Friday, calling it “a political trial."

Transcript

00:00There is still a long way to go before the final sentence, but this week's hearing will

00:06be crucial in the open arms trial involving league leader Matteo Salvini.

00:11After Italian prosecutors requested a six-year prison sentence, his lawyer Giulia Bongiorno

00:17will present her closing argument, explaining why the former interior minister is innocent.

00:23A few days ago, patches for Europe's far-right leaders rallied in support of Salvini in Puntida.

00:29His supporters have collected signatures in his defence, and a group of League Party

00:34members plans to take to the streets in Palermo on Friday to show their support.

00:39We spoke to one of them.

00:59The former interior minister has been charged with kidnapping for refusing to allow 147

01:20migrants rescued by the Spanish NGO Open Arms in 2019 to disembark in Lampedusa.

01:28Supporters argue that under the S.A.R.C. convention, anyone found in distress at sea

01:33must be assisted and provided with a place of safety.

01:37They also claim that the minister made the decision for his political advantage.

01:41We think that Matteo Salvini has exercised a power as a minister, a political power,

01:58But Matteo Salvini says he doesn't regret his actions, and that he did it to defend

02:19the country.

02:20If convicted, he could be barred from holding government office, but it could take time

02:25for that to come into effect, as the league leader can decide to appeal the judge's decision.

02:30Giorgio Arrandi for Euronews, in Rome.