Libyan coast guard officials are seen clubbing a few shipwrecked people on the Maridive merchant ship that had rescued them in a video posted by the Sea Watch NGO and filmed by the surveillance aircraft it operates, the Seabird.

The video appears to shows the coast guards approaching the merchant ship so it can hand over the group of about 60 migrants. The group of migrants were on deck at the time of the aggression.

The Libyan coast guards' cutter, "gifted by Italy", "brutally" demanded the handover of the immigrants, Sea Watch said, posting the images.

Also read: Sea-Watch warns Italian authorities, loses legal battle against Frontex

NGO accuses EU of funding violence

These actions, stressed the NGO, "are illegal under international law and Italian law. Europe holds conferences on democracy and human rights but finances this violent behavior against people in movement. The EU doesn't concern itself with their lives. It prevents these people from reaching Europe's coasts with every means possible."

Meanwhile landings are continuing on Lampedusa with 194 reported to have arrived on the Italian island on June 19. Two little boats carrying 18 and 28 people respectively (Egyptians, Syrians, Bengalis, Sudanese and Somalis) reached Punta Sottile. The migrants had departed from Tripoli paying 2,000 dollars each while others had left from Sabratha for a sum of 5,000 dollars.

The other three boats rescued by port authorities and finance police were carrying 45, 55 and 48 Ivorians, Guineans and Gambians who had departed from Sfax and Nabeul, in Tunisia.

Also read: Investigation accuses Europe of being complicit in Libyan torture

Migrants' bail from 2,5000 to 5,0000 euros evaluated on a case-by-case basis

On June 19, a new decree in Italy introduced increased flexibility in asylum policies. The decree allows asylum seekers to pay bail ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 euros, determined by the police chief on a case-by-case basis.

The decree, issued by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and published in the Official Gazette, amends the previous ministerial decree from September 14, 2023, to ensure greater flexibility in setting bail amounts.

Previously, asylum seekers had to pay a fixed bail of 4,938 euros to avoid detention at a pre-removal detention center (CPR). This amount had to be paid by the time identification procedures were completed.

Also read: Italy: Rejected asylum applicants must pay to avoid detention

New regulations

Under the new decree, asylum seekers must pay bail within seven working days of being informed of the amount by the police chief. Additionally, a loan for up to 28 days can be provided by relatives, including distant family members up to third cousins, who are legally residing in Italy or another EU state.

In order to determine bail, the police chief "evaluates, in particular, the degree of collaboration provided by the foreigner in identification procedures, obtained from documents, including electronic ones, that are exhibited, or by the statements made," according to the measure.

These include:

• Identity and citizenship documents (a copy of documents of identity or travel or a copy of any other document proving the identity and citizenship which can aid identification procedures)
• Proof of residence in the country of origin
• Details of travel and the journey's potential organizers.
• The identity of relatives and the address, as well as a telephone number through which the applicant can be contacted in Italy
• Also requested is the address, in Italy, where the applicant intends to stay or the identity and phone number of the person offering hospitality in Italy.