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.

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.

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.