One of the eight migrants sent to Albania under a migration agreement with Italy has been returned to Italy after being assessed as vulnerable. The Egyptian man, identified with psychological health issues, was unable to remain at the Gjadër reception center, according to a delegation of Italian activists and lawmakers who visited the facility. Now, only seven migrants—five from Bangladesh and two from Egypt—remain at the center.
This transfer is part of a bilateral arrangement that started in October, allowing migrants intercepted in international waters by the Italian coast guard to be sent to Albania for processing. The arrangement permits up to 3,000 migrants each month to be housed in Albania, where they undergo vetting for potential asylum in Italy or face deportation. Human rights groups have criticized the program, warning it may violate international laws protecting migrant rights.
The initiative has already faced challenges. The first group, transferred on October 16, included minors and individuals with health issues, four of whom were returned to Italy immediately. The rest returned following a court decision in Rome, which questioned the safety of repatriating them to Bangladesh and Egypt. This ruling effectively limited the list of countries Italy deems “safe” for migrant returns, potentially complicating the Albania deal.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed frustration over the court’s ruling, pointing out that classifying countries like Bangladesh and Egypt as unsafe could prevent most migrants from being redirected to Albania. To address these legal hurdles, Italy’s government recently passed a decree to ensure smoother implementation of the five-year migration deal.
A decision from Rome judges regarding the current group of migrants in Albania is expected on Monday. The outcome may set further precedents for handling future cases within the Albania-based processing system.