#ITALY: Mayor Of Village Who Welcomed Illegal Immigrants Says Human Traffickers Are Also "Victims"

[world politics news]

The mayor of an Italian village known for openly welcoming illegal immigrants has sparked outrage by calling those who traffic in migrants "victims."

Domenico Lucano, mayor of Riace, said, "To alleviate the shameful media of its serious responsibilities, the Italian government said that the responsibility lies with the traffickers, but I say that they, too, are victims." His comment comes after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that he wants to stop the smuggling of immigrants at all costs by directly hitting those who work to make this flow possible: the traffickers of migrants.

This week, a judge said he cannot reside in his home town while he awaits trial. In October 2018, Italian police put Lucano under house arrest for allegedly helping illegal migrants to stay in the country by organizing "marriages of convenience." He has been suspended from office, as well.

[FULL STORY HERE, HERE AND HERE]

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