Angelino Alfano

Alfano held the office of the Minister of Interior from 04\2013 – 12\2016, a determinant institutional actor that determines the political line to follow, including on relevant EU matters. In his position he is very likely to have participated in all JHA Council during his term. (See Italy Report,Ministry of Interior).

With former Prime Minister, Enrico Letta, President of the European Commission, Jose Barroso, the EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, Alfano visited Lampedusa in October 2013 after the drowning of 500 people in just a few days as the result of the shipwrecks of two refugee boats. Shortly after, Mare Nostrum was launched by Letta, whereas Alfano demanded the Europeanization of the operation explaining that Italy cannot carry the financial bourden on its own. The Europeanization of Mare Nostrum was rejected by all other European Member States. Subsequently, on 27 August 2014 conjointly with Commissioner Malmström, Alfano declared the end of Mare Nostrum, which was to be replaced by “Frontex +” (Operation Triton). In October 2014, Alfano reiterated the position that Mare Nostrum was established within a limited timeframe and that he favoured the establishment of Operation Triton. The suspect actively pushed for the end of MN and its replacement by Operation Triton. In light of the factual evidence, he might even initiated this idea. He had an important role in the design of the Operation as he met various times with Malmström as well as with FRONTEX to address different details of the operation. He also met with Ministers of the Interior, including Cazeneuve, to seek their support for the launch of Triton (See Italy Report, Ending of Mare Nostrum).

All assets deployed within the framework of Operation Triton were under the command of Alfano, who seemed to have been the spokesperson within the Italian government for Operation Triton. Therefore, the suspect was commanding the operation Triton. (See Italy Report, Triton 2015).

Alfano held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 2016 – March 2018, therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the suspect participated in all Foreign Affairs Council meetings during his term. With regard to the discussed policies, the role of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation was crucial for the design and implementation of the so-called “humanitarian interventions,” including the allocation of funds to institutions that have been repeatedly reported as not respecting basic human rights of the migrant population stranded in Libya (See Italy Report, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation).

Foreign Affairs Minister Alfano mentioned shortly before a European Council meeting in December 2015 that “everyone is now convinced that the key is to strengthen the external border” (See European Council Report, Internal Member States Developments).

Italy expanded its bilateral engagement with the country in the pursuit of “migration management’ and concluded its second Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of National Accord in 2017. The Italian Fund for Africa served as an additional financial tool to finance projects outlined in the MoU, that Alfano described as pursuing the main goal to « stop migration flows » and externalized Italian\EU borders. (See Itay Report, Bilateral Efforts – Italy – Libya Memorandum of Understanding).

In 2017, the suspect together with Prime Minister Gentiloni and the Interior Minister Minniti, decided to allocate 2.5 million euros entirely spent on supporting the operational capacities of the Libyan authorities, including the restoration of Lybian Patrol Vessels and training members of the LYCG. Alfano signed the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs Decree no 4110. (See Italy Report, Fondo Africa).

 The Italian Fund for Africa served as an additional financial tool to finance projects outlined in the MoU, that Alfano described as pursuing the main goal to « stop migration flows » and externalized Italian\EU borders. Together with (See Itay Report, Bilateral Efforts – Italy – Libya Memorandum of Understanding). In 2017, Prime Minister  Gentiloni together with the Interior Minister  Minniti and the Foreign Minister  Alfano, decided to allocate 2.5 million euros entirely spent on supporting the operational capacities of the Libyan authorities, including the restoration of Lybian Patrol Vessels and training members of the LYCG. Alfano signed the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs Decree no 4110. (See Italy Report, Fondo Africa).

In 2017, Prime Minister  Gentiloni together with the Interior Minister  Minniti and the Foreign Minister  Alfano, decided to allocate 2.5 million euros entirely spent on supporting the operational capacities of the Libyan authorities, including restoring four patrol vessels of the LYCG; Purchasing spare parts for the vessels; Towing one of the vessels from Tripoli to the Bizerte port in Tunisia. The restoration of Lybian Patrol Vessels and training members of the LYC. Alfano signed the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs Decree no 4110. (See Italy Report, Fondo Africa).