A court in Italy on October 18 ruled against the right-wing government's move to detain 12 migrants in newly opened immigration centers, or reception camps, in Albania.
Sixteen migrants -- 10 Bangladeshis and six Egyptians -- were transferred on October 16 by an Italian Navy ship to Albania to undergo what are called expedited border procedures under an agreement between Italy and Albania.
The staff of the immigration center, where migrants are to be housed, had decided prior to the court ruling to return four other migrants after medical and other examinations.
The decisions represent a stumbling block to the arrangement between Italy and Albania that the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed as a new "model" for dealing with illegal migration.
The agreement states that while in the centers, an Italian judge would consider the migrants’ asylum claims and decide whether to grant them or send them back to their home countries.
A court in Rome rejected the detention of 12 migrants with the explanation that they cannot be returned to their countries of origin because the court does not consider these countries to be safe enough.
Speaking to reporters during a trip to Lebanon, Meloni called the decision "prejudiced" and said it was up to her government to determine which countries are safe and which are not, suggesting she would draft new rules to address the issue.
"Perhaps the government needs to clarify better what is meant by 'safe country'," she said.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told a news conference he was confident the decision would be overturned, adding that the government would take its appeal up to the Supreme Court if necessary.
For now, the court ruling means they will all have to be transferred to Italy.
The centers are set to cost Italy 670 million euros ($730 million) over five years. The facilities are managed by Italy and under Italian jurisdiction, while Albanian guards provide external security.
Italy has agreed to accept those migrants who have been granted asylum, while those whose claims are rejected face deportation directly from Albania.