The ANM of Palermo: “Uncomposed reactions from government representatives”

The executive committee of the Palermo section also intervenesNational Association of Magistrates after the request for six years of prison for Matthew Salvini by the Palermo prosecutor’s office in processo Open Arms.

The ANM “expresses solidarity with all colleagues involved in the trial of Senator Salvini and in particular with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palermo who have submitted, with composure and extensive legal arguments, respectful of the principles dictated by supranational and national legislation on sea rescue, the conclusions of a delicate trial from many points of view”.

“Insinuations of political use of justice and inappropriate reactions have been made against representatives of the State in the Public Prosecution,” it is written in a note, “even by political and government representatives. These are serious statements, not in keeping with the functions exercised, in open violation of the principle of separation of powers, indifferent to the rules that govern the process, that undermine trust in democratic institutions and that constitute undue forms of pressure on judging magistrates.”

“The Court will assess the validity of the accusation, with independence and impartiality, guided only by scrupulous respect for all the rules in force on the matter. The full equality of all before the law is the true essence of democracy, regardless of their position and political importance, and the trial that is being held in Palermo is itself a moment of fundamental democracy. To the colleagues of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Palermo – the note concludes – we reiterate, therefore, all our solidarity, in the knowledge that both in this and in many other lesser-known cases, they will continue to carry out their very delicate function in full freedom and independence, sine spe nec metu, in the exclusive interest of the Republic”.

Borghi (Lega): “Open Arms is a black page for the judiciary”

“Yesterday, with the request by the Palermo prosecutors for six years for Matteo Salvini, one of the darkest pages in the history of the judiciary was written, creating a very dangerous precedent”. Thus in a note the Lega senator Claudio Borghi. “Salvini, as Minister of the Interior, has carried out his role excellently, following the mandate that had been given to him by the voters and therefore keeping the promise made to the citizens. And so – he adds – he has worked to protect our borders and the Italians. Defending our country is everyone’s duty, not a crime. Yesterday’s decision outrages not only Italy, but beyond the borders”.

La Russa: “Prosecutors often want to interpret the rules”

“I have full faith in justice, but I think that often the public prosecution, in trials like this, gives precedence to the thesis that wants to entrust the prosecutor with the task of extensive interpretation of the rules. According to them, justice should interpret the rules and correct them. But it is not up to the judiciary to correct the rules, even when they are wrong: it can only apply the law”. This was stated by the President of the Senate, Ignatius LaRussaat the FdI party in Lido degli Estensi, speaking about the request for conviction for Matteo Salvini at the Open Arms trial in Palermo.