Italy holds REFERENDUM on whether to CHARGE leader Salvini for migrant kidnapping

Mr Salvini is facing possible charges for refusing to let a migrant ship dock last summer in a Sicilian port in his role as interior minister in the coalition government. The populist Five Star Movement has called the vote on the leader of the League, which is its government coalition party. People will be able to vote online from 9am until 6pm today, Monday, February 18, and the outcome will determine how the Five Star senators will vote on the charges.

Mr Salvini took the decision in August to use an order for 150 migrants to be held aboard on an Italian coast guard ship for five days.

He said the EU would have to step in as he refused to accept migrants from the Ubaldo Diciotti ship.

The fate of the migrants, many of whom were Eritrean, sparked local protests throughout Europe and attracted international attention.

However, Mr Salvini, who has submitted a document saying he acted in the public interest, claims his decision was a government one and not a move he made alone.

Lega’s leader has also claimed he was acting in line with EU decisions on the resettlement of migrants.

Ireland, Albania and the Catholic church eventually agreed to host the migrants.

Magistrates in the Sicilian city of Catania have requested authorisation from parliament to proceed against Mr Salvini, who is also the deputy leader of the country.

A vote to charge Mr Salvini could put the government at risk of collapse.

Speaking to his supporters last weekend, Mr Salvini said: “They can do whatever they want.

“What I did, I did to defend the safety of citizens, and if necessary I’d do it again.”

Italy’s right-wing interior minister, Salvini, has asked his government to deny prosecutors the right to try him on potential kidnapping charges.

According to Italian newspaper, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio could also be put under investigation along with Salvini.

source: express.co.uk