The mission chief, doctor on board, and commander of the vessel operated by the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans have reported to Italian authorities an attack by the "so-called Libyan coast guard" on April 4 against shipwrecked individuals and their rescuers in international waters.

During this incident, the Libyan cutter Fezzan 658, donated by the Italian government to Libyan authorities in 2018, intervened in the rescue operation conducted by the Mare Jonio to save 45 people in distress. The Libyan vessel fired at both the migrants in the water and the rescuers, endangering their safety, according to the report.

'Investigation for piracy, attempted abduction, torture and violence'

The complaint filed with prosecutors in Rome, who are responsible for investigating crimes committed abroad against Italian citizens and property, and with EU prosecutors, includes a wide range of potential charges. These charges aim to verify the use of means and funding granted by the European Union institutions and the Italian government to Libyan militias.

Attorneys representing Mediterranea Saving Humans, Serena Romano and Fabio Lanfranca, have requested judicial authorities to investigate those responsible for the attack on charges of piracy, attempted abduction, torture, and violence. These charges are aggravated by the use of firearms and aided and abetted by a criminal organization continuously involved in capturing and deporting people fleeing Libya.

Also read: Libyan coast guard accused of threatening crew of rescue ship in Mediterranean

Text notified to Tripoli

The filing was sent on Thursday (July 18) to the prime minister of the Libyan national unity government, Abdulhameed Mohamed Dabaiba, Foreign Minister Al Taher Salem Al Baour, Interior Minister Imad Mustafa Trabelsi, as well as Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, also through the ambassadors of Italy and the EU in Tripoli Nicola Orlando and of Libya to Rome Muhannad Saeed Ahmed Younes.

Also read: International law and the criminalization of sea rescue