October 18, 2024 – A court in Rome has ordered the return of 12 asylum seekers from Albania to Italy, ruling that their relocation to a refugee center in Gjadër was unlawful. The decision, disclosed by Italian media, comes after the group was transferred to Albania by an Italian Navy vessel.
The 12 migrants, who include individuals from Bangladesh and Egypt, were part of a larger group of 16 refugees transported to the Gjadër camp earlier this week. The court’s immigration division found that the transfer of the migrants, overseen by the Rome police headquarters, did not meet legal standards.
Judges in Rome noted that Bangladesh and Egypt are not considered “safe” countries, citing a decision by the European Court of Justice. As a result, the asylum seekers are expected to return to Italy, where they will regain their rights under European law.
The court’s ruling does not dismantle the refugee camps in Albania, which remain in place for migrants arriving from designated safe countries.
