The ship of the Spanish NGO ProActiva Open Arms has been seized by the prosecutor of Catania, since yesterday docked in the port of Pozzallo (Ragusa), in which the landing of 218 migrants took place. It is the first port in Italy at the center of the investigation for the refusal of the ship to deliver migrants to the Libyan patrol boats intervened at the rescue site or in Malta. The detention was carried out on investigations by the Ragusa mobile team and by the Rome Central Operations Service (SCO). Source agi
A top Greek court ruled on Wednesday (18 April) that migrants landing on Greek islands should no longer be held there while asylum claims are assessed, a decision raising alarm among EU officials in Brussels. Source: Euractiv
The German government has committed to accepting refugees under a program to resettle people considered particularly vulnerable. Controls of Germany’s border to Austria look set to be extended for another six months. Source: Deutsche Welle
President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called snap elections for June 24, saying economic challenges and the war in Syria meant Turkey must switch quickly to the powerful executive presidency that goes into effect after the vote. Source: Reuters
