Salvini ordered to stand trial on migrant kidnapping charge

Rescue group hails decision to put far-right Italian politician on trial, which will begin in September.

An Italian judge has ordered that Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, must stand trial on charges of kidnapping over his decision to prevent more than 100 refugees and migrants on a rescue ship from landing in the country in 2019. Salvini, who was interior minister and deputy prime minister at that time, left the people stranded at sea until prosecutors ordered the seizure of the ship and the evacuation of the people on board. The trial will begin in the southern city of Palermo on September 15.