Hommam Al Nassim 
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has accused the Italian authorities of colluding with the Libyan coastguard after one of its ships was detained in Italy.
According to the organization, the Geo Barents was detained for twenty days on charges of failing to comply with the instructions of the Libyan Coast Guard and endangering the lives of migrants during a rescue operation on March 16.
The organization denied the accusations, noting that it was the Libyan Coast Guard who tried to obstruct the rescue operation and endanger the lives of survivors.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) tried to rescue 146 migrants on a wooden boat in international waters, but a Libyan coastguard patrol boat approached and tried to stop the operation.
The organization criticized the Italian law, known as the “Piantidosi Decree”, saying it hindered search and rescue activities by NGOs in the Mediterranean.
The organization called on the European Union and all its countries to stop all material and financial support to the Libyan Coast Guard.
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