Italian Judge Releases Sea-Watch Captain

An Italian judge has ruled that Carola Rackete, the 31-year-old German captain of the Sea-Watch rescue vessel, did not break the law when she entered the port of Lampedusa against Italian naval orders. The judge stated that by bringing rescued migrants to safety, she was fulfilling her duty to protect human life.

Rackete had been under house arrest since disobeying military directives and faced potential prison time for allegedly endangering the lives of four police officers after her boat struck a patrol vessel while docking. However, the judge confirmed she faces no charges for the collision itself, though potential charges related to aiding illegal immigration remain.

Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Salvini condemned the ruling, calling it unacceptable and promising to expel Rackete from Italy. Salvini, a hardline advocate for closing Italian ports to rescue ships, has implemented strict measures that have sharply reduced migrant arrivals this year.

Rackete apologized for the collision in court, emphasizing her concern for the welfare of the 41 migrants, who had been stranded at sea for over two weeks. The case has strained Italy’s relations with Germany and France, with both countries offering to take in some of the rescued migrants and urging Italy to release Rackete.

The Sea-Watch captain has become a symbol of humanitarian efforts, with fundraising campaigns in Germany and Italy raising over 1.4 million euros to support future rescue missions. Sea-Watch officials said the support reflects widespread public backing for their work to save lives at sea.