More
than 32 migrants, the majority of them Gambians and Senegalese, have been
arrested and sent directly to prison by the Italian police force this year.
The
Italian Interior Ministry reported on its online page that the guys were
alleged to be smugglers in the Mediterranean.
All
the minors involved in the alleged trafficking are Gambians, according to the
Italian state police report.
The
European country’s Ministry of Interior explained that pictures of the alleged
smugglers were taken, while in the international waters when rescue helicopters
are drawn over their heads to take pictures and read their conditions for
immediate rescue operations.
In
2014, at least 200 alleged smugglers were arrested, detained and imprisoned in
Italy. In 2015, more than 90, and so far in 2016, at least 32 have been
arrested, detained and imprisoned.
The
Italian state police investigation revealed that many Gambians and Senegalese
resort to smuggling, because they cannot pay the Libyan smugglers and
traffickers.
It
further stated that Gambians are also given the role of controlling the compass
to direct the captain and the communication for rescue operations.
The
investigation also revealed that many Gambians and Senegalese could captain the
fibre boats and wooden ships, because of their closeness and traditional
activities in the Atlantic Ocean.
Our
correspondent in Italy, who has attended many conferences on irregular
migration, said many of the alleged Gambian and Senegalese are victims of
Libyan traffickers and smugglers.
These
alleged smugglers who were identified and officially reported as potential
criminals, according to the Italian Justice System, have the burden to justify
their innocence, but they were not given any such chance.
