ROME (AP) — An Italian court on Friday dismissed a long-running case against the crew of three humanitarian organizations, dropping charges accusing them of collaborating with smugglers as they helped rescue thousands of migrants at sea.
The judges in the Sicilian city of Trapani decided not to proceed to trial against 10 crew members involved in the so-called Iuventa case, named after the rescue vessel operated by German nonprofit Jugend Rettet.
Staff members from Jugend Rettet, Save The Children and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) were fully acquitted from all charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigration.
Italian prosecutors started the case in 2017, accusing the crew members of serving as “taxis” for migrants rather than rescuing them. The rescue teams were alleged to have coordinated their search-and-rescue actions with human traffickers off Libya, returning dinghies and boats to smugglers to be reused, while rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean whose lives were not in real danger.
Bitcoin halving: Everything you need to know
Mariah Carey turns heads in a dramatic gold floor
Man United player Garnacho apologizes for liking critical posts about Ten Hag
The 20 best shows to watch On Demand this weekend
Thai leaders ready to increase humanitarian aid in Myanmar — Radio Free Asia
France asks retailers to alert customers to cases of 'shrinkflation'
BP defeated thousands of suits by sick Gulf spill cleanup workers. But not one by a boat captain
JAN MOIR: Another day, another desperate Montecito dollar. This time with jam on it!
Beijing Half Marathon champion has medal taken away after other runners slowed down to let him win
Man United overhaul under Ratcliffe extends to new technical director
Censors block blogger after caller asks 'Is Xi Jinping a dictator?' — Radio Free Asia
Thai leaders ready to increase humanitarian aid in Myanmar — Radio Free Asia