An Italian court has ruled that deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini committed no crime when he refused to allow a Spanish charity ship carrying nearly 150 migrants rescued from the Mediterranean Sea to disembark in Italy six years ago.

The deputy prime minister and the leader of the far-right League party claimed he was a victim in the fight against illegal immigration that has swept across Europe.

By Wladimir Pantaleone and Angelo Amante PALERMO, Italy (Reuters) -Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on Friday he had no regrets over blocking a migrant rescue ship at sea as he awaited a verdict in his trial on charges of kidnapping those aboard the boat.