- Home
- World
- News
- MSF Slams Italian Prosecutors for Ordering to Seize Aquarius Over Toxic Waste Allegations
MSF Slams Italian Prosecutors For Ordering To Seize Aquarius Over Toxic Waste Allegations
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published November 20, 2018 | 05:19 PM
Humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) has condemned the decision of Italian prosecutors to seize the Aquarius migrant rescue vessel over accusations of alleged illicit disposal of hazardous on-board waste
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th November, 2018) Humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders) has condemned the decision of Italian prosecutors to seize the Aquarius migrant rescue vessel over accusations of alleged illicit disposal of hazardous on-board waste.
Earlier in the day, media reported that prosecutors from the Italian city of Catania, located in Sicily, had ordered to seize the vessel and identified more than 20 suspects who had been allegedly repeatedly disposing of hazardous waste, which accumulated during the ship's relief activities.
"We strongly condemn the decision by Italian judicial authorities to request the seizure of the Aquarius for alleged anomalies in its disposal of on-board waste. It's a disproportionate & unfounded measure aimed at criminalizing lifesaving medical-humanitarian action at sea," the MSF said via its official Twitter account.
The organization also said in a separate tweet that such allegations hampered relief activities and discouraged ships from carrying out rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
"We are more than ready to clarify the facts and stand accountable for the operational procedures we followed, but we strongly reaffirm the legitimacy and legality of our humanitarian work," Gabriele Eminente, the director of the MSF Italy was quoted as saying on the organization's official website.
The Aquarius, charted by SOS Mediterranee migrant charity and the MSF, is the last migrant rescue vessel operating in the central Mediterranean. The ship is currently docked at France's Marseille and is unable to conduct operations as it has been deprived of the Panamanian flag it had been sailing under. According to the MSF, the organization had either saved or helped more than 80,000 people at sea since 2015.
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
More Stories From World
-
Long-delayed Ukraine aid clears US Congress, awaits Biden signature
10 minutes ago -
Up the Congo River on an eventful voyage aboard 'God's Miracle'
10 minutes ago -
A 'healthy addiction': sea saunas make waves in Ireland
10 minutes ago -
Victims of China floods race to salvage property
30 minutes ago -
China to send fresh crew to Tiangong space station
1 hour ago -
Norman says McIlroy welcome on LIV Tour, but denies any offer
1 hour ago
-
China, future HQ: New ASML boss faces bulging in-tray
1 hour ago -
Trump meets former Japanese prime minister in New York
1 hour ago -
'Catch and Kill' architect details Trump-boosting scheme
1 hour ago -
Wolves overpower Suns to lead series 2-0, Pacers down Bucks
1 hour ago -
Top price predicted for long-lost Klimt portrait at Vienna auction
1 hour ago -
Maduro announces return of UN rights office to Venezuela
2 hours ago