Rome Court Halts Asylum Seekers' Transfer to Albania

A Rome court has struck down the Italian government's plan to process migrants in Albania, ordering the return of seven migrants who were recently transferred there. This decision follows a previous ruling that reversed the initial transfer of 12 migrants, both groups originating from Egypt and Bangladesh. The court questioned the legality of the government's designation of certain countries as 'safe' for repatriation, referring the matter to the European Court of Justice for further clarification. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration had attempted to expedite the program by declaring 19 countries as safe, but judges asserted that EU law takes precedence and requires comprehensive safety verification. The rulings have intensified tensions between the Italian judiciary and the government, which aims to manage the influx of migrants amidst criticism from rights groups. The ongoing legal battles have put the future of the controversial migrant processing centers in Albania into jeopardy.