Again, Italian authorities impose detention orders on GeoBarents

Italian authorities have once again imposed detention orders on GeoBarents, the rescue ship of MSF Sea.

Late last month (August) GeoBarents was issued a detention order for a period of 60 days by the Italian authorities. But early this month, the detention of the Geo Barents was suspended by the court of Salerno and the ship became free to rescue lives again.

The new detention orders are coming less than three weeks after the last detention order was suspended.

Providing information about the latest detention orders, MSF Sea said: “Yesterday evening, the Italian authorities, yet again, imposed two separate detention orders on our search and rescue vessel, the #GeoBarents.
The first detention order, which came under the Piantedosi decree, is for a period of 60 days, and it was based on the recurrent allegations that the #GeoBarents did not comply with instructions from the Libyan Coast Guard while rescuing people who were in distress.

“The second detention order, followed a very in-depth Port State Control inspection to the ship which found 8 technical deficiencies.”

This, MSF Sea said is the fourth time “our vessel has been subject to such a punitive measure for performing its legal obligation to save lives at sea.

“These measures clearly show that the authorities don’t want our search and rescue vessel to sail again.”

MSF Sea alleged that the Italian authorities are still giving credibility to the Libyan Coast Guard, “which has been accused by the UN and other human rights NGOs of committing crimes against humanity.”

The organization assured that a more detailed communication will be available as soon as consultations with “our legal team are concluded, at which point we will consider our options in challenging this arbitrary, targeted and inhumane decision.”