Court decision in Malta: Captain "Lifeline" can visit Germany

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

For days, the refugee ship "Lifeline" finds no port in the Mediterranean. Finally, he can land in Malta, the captain appears in court. The judges have now decided that he can leave Malta – at least for a few days.

The German captain of the aid ship "Lifeline", who is on trial in Malta, may leave the Mediterranean island from 16 July. The Maltese capital court, Valletta, has made a request from Claus-Peter Reisch. He decided to lift the exit ban against Claus-Peter Reisch, said Axel Steier, co-founder of the Dresden Mission Lifeline aid organization. To continue testing on July 30, Reisch must be back in Malta.

According to a press report, Reisch wanted to leave Malta for a few days to join his elderly mother in Germany. "Of course, we welcome this decision," said Mr. Steier. On the exact grounds of the Maltese judges, he was not aware. "In our opinion, the continued detention of Mr Reisch in Malta would violate European law," he said.

The "Lifeline" had saved 234 refugees from the Libyan coast three weeks ago, then wandered into the Mediterranean because Italy and Malta initially refused to berth. Finally, the ship was allowed to land in Malta but was confiscated by the authorities.

Humanitarian workers are accused of defying in order to save refugees in the Mediterranean and to violate international law. Captain Reisch was questioned several times by police and tried last week. The aid organization Dresden denies any wrongdoing. "We will continue to cooperate with the judiciary," said Mr. Steier. Reisch will therefore come to court in Malta on 30 July.

Source: n-tv.de