In brief
Italian judges delivered a blow to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's plans to hold asylum seekers in Albania, marking the third court ruling against her controversial anti-immigration strategy.
The latest ruling came from a Rome court, asserting that the transfers of asylum seekers to Albanian centers would not proceed until the Court of Justice of the European Union reviews the policy in February. On Tuesday, the Italian Navy transported 43 migrants to Albania after they were intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea. Following the ruling, a spokesperson stated that these individuals would return to Italy, highlighting the government's struggle to implement its offshore processing plan, which aims to expedite asylum applications for selected migrants. Human rights advocates and opposition politicians have criticized the plan, calling it unlawful and financially burdensome. The Italian government's initiative, which focuses on deterring dangerous Mediterranean crossings, continues to face growing scrutiny.
