FLASH
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Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini was acquitted on Friday of kidnapping charges related to his decision in 2019 to block a migrant rescue ship carrying more than 140 people from reaching Italian shores.
Salvini, who at the time served as Italy's interior minister, prevented the disembarkation of 147 people, including children, rescued by the Spanish NGO Open Arms, leaving the ship stranded at sea for 19 days. The court ruled on Friday that there was no case to be tried.
" I am happy. After three years since the League [far-right party] won, Italy has won. Defending the Motherland is not a crime, but a right. I will continue even more determined than before ," Salvini said after the acquittal.
News of Salvini's release was met with applause and chants of "Matteo, Matteo" from the center-right benches in the Italian parliament, where lawmakers were working on the budget.
" There is a judge in Palermo! A hug for Matteo Salvini ", writes the Foreign Minister of Italy, Antonio Tajani.
" Justice has triumphed, well done Matteo Salvini, another victory for Patriots for Europe ," wrote Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
In September, the prosecutor asked for a six-year prison sentence for Salvini as well as compensation of more than 1 million euros in damages if the court found him guilty. The appeals process after the decision can still take years.
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