Sea Watch has released a video showing Libyan coast guard officials hitting migrants rescued by a merchant ship with clubs. Meanwhile, the Italian interior ministry has introduced a new decree on asylum policies.
In a video posted by Sea Watch, Libyan coast guard officials are seen assaulting a group of shipwrecked individuals aboard the Maridive merchant ship, which had rescued them. The footage, captured by Sea Watch’s surveillance aircraft, Seabird, shows the coast guard demanding the handover of about 60 migrants who were on deck at the time.
The Libyan coast guard’s cutter, reportedly provided by Italy, aggressively approached the merchant ship and forcibly demanded the migrants. Sea Watch criticized these actions, calling them “brutal” and highlighting that they are illegal under international and Italian law.
Sea Watch also accused the European Union of indirectly funding such violence, arguing that while the EU holds conferences on democracy and human rights, it supports actions that prevent migrants from reaching Europe. The NGO emphasized that these violent acts are part of the EU’s strategy to keep migrants from arriving on European shores.
As this incident unfolded, migrant landings continued on the Italian island of Lampedusa. On June 19, 194 migrants arrived, including Egyptians, Syrians, Bengalis, Sudanese, and Somalis. They departed from Tripoli and Sabratha, paying between $2,000 and $5,000 for the perilous journey. Other boats carrying Ivorians, Guineans, and Gambians were rescued by port authorities and finance police after departing from Sfax and Nabeul in Tunisia.
On the same day, the Italian government issued a new decree that introduces more flexibility in asylum policies. The decree allows asylum seekers to pay bail ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 euros, based on individual assessments by the police chief. This change amends the previous fixed bail amount of 4,938 euros, providing more leeway for setting bail amounts.
The new regulations, signed by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and published in the Official Gazette, require asylum seekers to pay bail within seven working days of notification. Additionally, relatives legally residing in Italy or another EU state can provide loans for up to 28 days to help cover the bail.
To determine the bail amount, the police chief will consider the asylum seeker’s level of cooperation during identification procedures, which includes presenting identity and citizenship documents, proof of residence in the country of origin, and details of their travel and journey organizers. The asylum seeker must also provide contact information and the address of their intended stay in Italy.