After brief replies from the Prosecutor's Office and the defense, the judges of the Palermo court called to issue the verdict in the trial in which Lega leader Matteo Salvini is accused of refusing to perform official duties and kidnapping have retired to the council chamber. The verdict in the Open Arms case is not expected before 6:00 p.m.

The prosecution requested a 6-year prison sentence for the minister , while the defense requested an acquittal.

The leader of the League is accused of kidnapping and refusal to perform official duties for having prevented the disembarkation of 147 migrants aboard the ship of the Spanish NGO in August 2019, when he was Interior Minister of the first Conte government .

"I am absolutely proud of what I have done, I have kept the promises I made, I have fought mass immigration. Whatever the sentence, today is a beautiful day for me because I am proud to have defended my country. I would and will do everything I have done again and I am happy with the demonstrations of affection that so many Italians are bringing me. I enter the courtroom proud of my work. I will absolutely not give up", declares Matteo Salvini before entering the bunker courtroom of the Pagliarelli prison, packed with the public and journalists. Also present is the Minister of Education and Merit Giuseppe Valditara.

"If they declare me innocent I will be happy for my children and because I did my job. If they declare me guilty I will be happy anyway, I have absolutely no regrets, I defended my country from illegal immigrants and traffickers", he said yesterday in a live social. " If they acquit me I have done my duty and bye bye left. If convicted we will appeal, I would consider it a profound injustice and damage not to me but to the country ".

The deputy prime minister has received solidarity from allies across Europe and even from overseas, from Elon Musk. "It is absurd that Salvini is being tried for defending Italy."