Why Richard Gere is set to testify in Italian kidnapping trial
Actor Richard Gere has been named as a witness in a high-profile Italian kidnapping trial involving former government minister Matteo Salvini. Salvini, the populist leader of the right-wing League Party, is facing kidnapping charges for refusing to let a migrant ship dock in the country. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in jail and being barred from running for office.
Gere was in Italy in August 2019, when Salvini refused for days to let a boat carrying about 150 migrants rescued at sea to dock in Italy. The vessel was operated by the NGO Proactiva Open Arms, and Gere visited the boat in an effort to draw international attention to the situation. Activists described the conditions on board and the Italian government’s failure to act as a humanitarian crisis at the time.
Salvini has said that the inclusion of Gere in the list of witnesses proves the case against him should not be taken seriously. "Now you tell me how serious is a trial where Richard Gere comes from Hollywood to testify on how bad I am," Mr Salvini said. Other witnesses include former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, as well as other senior Italian political figures.
Proactiva Open Arms told the court that Gere could give a direct account of the conditions on board the vessel, which was stranded off the Italian island of Lampedusa for 19 days before prosecutors ordered its evacuation. At present, it is not clear whether Gere will appear in person or via video.
Salvini, a populist known for his anti-immigrant campaigns, argues that he was simply doing his duty as minister by refusing to allow the migrants to disembark. He said, "Defending a country's borders, security, honour and dignity is not just a minister's duty but everyone's duty.
"Being put on trial for just doing my duty is surreal. A Spanish boat refusing to go to Spain commits an abuse. If Spain gives its flag to boats it does not manage to control, then there is a problem".
The next hearing is scheduled for December 17.
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