An Italian court has upheld an appeal by Spanish rescue ship Open Arms, suspending the Italian Interior Ministry’s ban on the vessel from entering Italian waters.
The rescue ship with 147 migrants onboard has been stuck in the Mediterranean for two weeks due to the ban imposed by minister Matteo Salvini.
The Italian court ruled that the ban violates international laws in light of the “exceptionally grave and urgent situation due to the protracted stay of the migrants on our boat,” Open Arms said in a statement Wednesday.
The NGO added that its ship is now heading towards Italy’s international waters. It was unclear when it would reach shore.
Shortly after the ruling, Salvini reiterated his continued objection to humanitarian ships entering Italian ports.
