Migrants, President of the Court of Palermo: ‘Reactions to the Sea Watch ruling are the result of a climate of tension’

Milan, 20 February (LaPresse) – “I would like to begin by commenting on the central issue of this ruling, which does not concern any political assessment, but addresses purely technical matters. The public administration held a ship despite the seizure having been lifted and left the organisation requesting its return without a response. The judge of the court I preside over considered this behaviour to be unlawful and consequently ordered compensation for the expenses incurred, without justification, during the ship’s stay in port.” This was stated by the president of the Palermo court, Piergiorgio Morosini, in an interview with Corriere della Sera after the ruling against the NGO Sea Watch in favour of the state. ‘The exercise of the right to criticise is expressed by highlighting the contradictions in the reasoning behind the measures or by pointing out the violation of specific rules referred to in them. I do not believe that labelling the judge as biased solely on the basis of an unwelcome or perhaps even unknown provision is an exercise of the right to criticise,‘ he added. ’Returning to the Palermo ruling, it seems to me that the reactions are the result of the climate of tension that is developing with the referendum campaign. I wonder whether aggressive statements help citizens to understand the merits of the issue,” Morosini emphasised.