Court halts Italy’s contested migrant centers in Albania

A group of migrants embark on an Italian ship at Shengjin port in Albania on Oct. 19, 2024. The 12 migrants left Albania for Italy after judges ruled against their detention in the non-EU nation under a controversial deal between Rome and Tirana. Civil rights activists gather in protest after a group of migrants intercepted in Italian waters arrived at Shengjin port in Albania on Oct. 16, 2024. The banner depicts the prime ministers of Albania, Edi Rama, and Italy, Giorgia Meloni.

Human rights groups and some analysts call Italy's opening this week of migrant processing centers in Albania controversial and illegal. The Italian government is now appealing a court ruling against its flagship project to move migrant facilities offshore.