The Open Arms vessel was left at sea for 19 days after the Italian interior minister at the time did not allow it to dock at a Sicilian port. Matteo Salvini is accused of abuse of office and unlawful detention.

A few weeks before leaving the Italian government in September 2019, former interior minister Matteo Salvini signed a decree that effectively restricts the hiring of foreigners as stadium stewards. This "national preference" policy could disrupt the Italian football championship, which relies heavily on often poorly paid staff to assist spectators and security - a job that few Italians want to do. Some even fear that matches will soon have to be played behind closed doors - unless the government finds a way to accept foreign stewards.

Far-right leader Matteo Salvini is set to face charges of illegally detaining migrants at sea after Italian lawmakers voted to strip him of immunity, reports showed. The League head could face up to 15 years in jail.

Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said that Italy was set to deny permission to another migrant-rescue ship to dock at an Italian port after refusing to green-light the arrival of the Aquarius ship carrying 629 people.