Lifeline captain exhibits award for saving migrants in court

“Hey people, this is your prize!” These were the words of Lifeline captain Claus-Peter Reisch to his crew as he emerged from court and proudly displayed to news cameras a humanitarian award he recently received.

The award from the Bavarian Social Democratic Party, which was given to the accused on July 27 for saving 240 African Migrants, was exhibited in court today.

Reisch is charged over what the police claim is the ship's irregular registration.

The case which has garnered much international media attention was at the centre of a spat between Malta and Italy about whose responsibility the migrants were.

The Lifeline’s captain stands accused of using his ship as a rescue vessel when it is registered as a pleasure craft in the Netherlands.

Reisch recently returned to Malta from a visit to his elderly mother in Germany whilst on bail. A second request to go abroad, made today, was also upheld.

Court experts presented a number of technical reports on the vessel.

Defence lawyer Cedric Mifsud asked the court to order the supply of fuel to power the vessel’s airconditioners. The captain and crew still live on the vessel, he reminded the magistrate. He also asked that maintenance works be allowed to be carried out on board. The court upheld the requests.

The case will continue on August 23 and is expected to be concluded by early September.