Italy's former interior minister and far-right leader Matteo Salvini went on trial on Saturday accused of illegally blocking 147 rescued migrants from disembarking from a rescue ship.
Mr Salvini attended the opening hearing in Sicily's Palermo.
He is charged with kidnapping and abuse of office for using his position as interior minister to detain the 147 migrants at sea in August 2019.
Mr Salvini, 48, said the decision was not his alone, but agreed by the government, including then-prime minister Giuseppe Conte.
Prosecutors have asked that the witness list include Mr Conte, as well as Italy's Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.
On Saturday, Judge Roberto Murgia was expected to decide on the admissability of witness lists sought by both sides.
Outside the courtroom, the founder and director of the Spanish charity Open Arms that operated the rescue ship said the trial was not politically motivated.
"Saving people isn't a crime, but an obligation not only by captains but by the entire state," Oscar Camps said.
The beginning of the trial came as 406 migrants rescued in various operations off the coast of Libya by the German charity ship Sea Watch 3 arrived at the Sicilian port of Pozzallo to be disembarked.
In the 2019 Open Arms case, migrants were finally allowed to leave the vessel after six days, following an order by the prosecutor's office.
A subsequent onboard inspection revealed serious overcrowding and dire sanitary conditions.
Mr Salvini denies the charge and says he was protecting the country with his "closed ports" policy that aimed to stop people attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to Italy.
Italy's Senate voted last year to strip Mr Salvini of his parliamentary immunity, paving the way for the trial.
When the incident took place, Mr Salvini was part of a coalition government and held the positions of interior minister and deputy prime minister.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Honeymoonish
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
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Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
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