ROME: A Spanish charity organization for rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean on Thursday claimed that Italian authorities had detained a migrant rescue ship and harassing the people on board, Western media reported.
Open Arms said its ship had been imposed a fine of up to 10,000 euros (around $10,500) by the Italian authorities.
The ship was also detained in August along with two other rescue boats accused of violating a new law under which charities must return to port between every rescue, and only to the port designated by Italian authorities.
Open Arms had disembarked 176 migrants at the Tuscan port of Carrara who had been rescued in three different operations in the Mediterranean.
The organization in a statement Thursday accused Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government of harassing the humanitarian ships.
It said such strategy is unacceptable as they were carrying out their duties respecting the Law of the Sea and international conventions.
Meloni’s government took office one year ago pledging to end irregular migration but the numbers have increased.
More than 135,000 migrants have reached on small boats on Italian coasts this year so far.
Meloni has claimed the rescuers mission in Mediterranean encourage smugglers.
