The crew of the rescue ship 'Iuventa' denounces Italy for abandonment five years after its seizure

MADRID, 19 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The crew of the migrant rescue ship 'Iuventa' has filed a criminal complaint with the Trapani Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of abandonment and destruction of private property by the state in which the vessel is located five years after its seizure.

"Negligence in custody is a criminal offense under Italian law. We hope there will be a thorough investigation to determine whether the duty to keep the maritime rescue ship, which is totally abandoned, in perfect working order has been breached," said a lawyer for the 'Iuventa', Nicola Canestrini, in a statement.

The ship was used to rescue more than 14,000 people, highlights its crew, but today, after five years in the custody of the Trapani Port Authority, in Sicily, "the 'Iuventa' is abandoned, has been looted and practically demolished." "Now she herself is at risk of sinking and she is in real danger of sinking, a real threat to the environment," they have warned.

One of the crew members of the 'Iuventa', Sascha Girke, has indicated that "the Italian State has not only reduced the capacity of the civilian fleet with the seizure of the 'Iuventa', but has also abandoned the ship and contributed to the destruction of a well that it could have saved lives," he stressed.

The crew recalls that according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since the seizure of the 'Iuventa' more than 10,000 people have drowned in the Mediterranean crossing and "more than 100,000 have been kidnapped by what they call the Libyan Coast Guard ".

Several of the crew have been charged with complicity in illegal entry into Italy. The case is still in the preliminary hearing phase.