Italian Court Blocks Migrant Transfers to Albania for Third Time

A Rome appeals court has halted the detention of 43 migrants in Albania, citing legal concerns and referring the case to the European Court of Justice.

The Italian government’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania faces another setback as a court orders the return of 43 migrants to Italy.
The migrants, mostly from Bangladesh and Egypt, were transferred to Albania under a controversial agreement signed in 2023 to house and process migrants outside EU borders.
Italian judges referred the case to the European Court of Justice, questioning the legality of the safe country designations used to justify the transfers.
This marks the third failed attempt since October to implement the policy, which has faced criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties in Italy.
The European Court of Justice is expected to rule on the legality of the scheme by February 25, potentially determining its future viability.