Italian Naval Vessel Delivers 49 Migrants to Albania

An Italian navy ship, Cassiopea, arrived in Albania carrying 49 migrants intercepted in international waters, marking Italy's renewed effort to process asylum applications in Albania after previous legal challenges. The migrants, primarily from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Gambia, will be processed at Albanian centers, which have faced scrutiny from Italian courts regarding the safety of their home countries. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government aims to reactivate these centers despite setbacks, with a recent ruling allowing judges to determine safe repatriation cases on an individual basis. This incident represents the third attempt to implement the controversial plan, which has been criticized by human rights advocates for potentially violating international law. The European Court of Justice is set to review the legality of Italy's approach in the coming weeks. The agreement allows for processing up to 3,000 migrants monthly in Albania, with the aim of reducing migrant sea arrivals in Italy.