A court in Sicily ruled that Italy must pay compensation to a German humanitarian organization whose migrant rescue ship was detained in the island's port in 2019, the organization reported on Wednesday, which angered Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This comes in the midst of the Italian government's preparation last week of a new draft law allowing the imposition of a "naval blockade" to prevent migrant boats from entering Italian waters.
Published on: 02/19/2026 - 10:30 Last updated: 02/19/2026 - 11:08
A court in Palermo on the island of Sicily issued a ruling requiring the Italian government to pay 76,000 euros to the German “Sea-Watch” organization for the “unjustified siege” of its ship, according to a statement published by the organization Wednesday on social media.
"civil disobedience"
The Sea Watch 3 ship docked on the Italian island of Lampedusa in June 2019 in defiance of a government ban, after it was trapped at sea for two weeks with dozens of migrants on board.
The ship, which collided with a police boat during its arrival, was detained for five months, in an incident that made international headlines.
"The law once again favors civil disobedience," Sea Watch said.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that the ministries of the interior, transport and economy, as well as authorities in Sicily, were ordered to pay the NGO's expenses and legal costs.
The ship's captain, Carola Raquette, was arrested, but a judge dropped the case against her in 2021.
"naval blockade"
In a video message on Wednesday, Meloni said she was stunned by the court's ruling. She was not in office at the time, but her far-right government sought to limit the activities of migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean.
Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, frequently criticizes judges who object to her attempts to curb irregular migration. The Italian Prime Minister pledged to do "everything necessary to protect the borders and the safety of citizens."
It is noteworthy that last week, the Meloni government prepared a new draft law allowing the imposition of a “naval blockade” to prevent migrant boats from entering Italian waters.
France 24/AFP
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