Dozens of migrants arrived in Albania early on Tuesday, days after Italy resumed the transfer of asylum seekers to its maritime neighbour in a controversial programme that is under judicial review.

Italy says it is transferring 49 migrants picked up in the Mediterranean to new processing centers in Albania, in the third such attempt facing hurdles by courts.

TIRANA - An Italian navy ship carrying 49 migrants picked up in international waters arrived in Albania on Tuesday, amid a new attempt by Italy to push ahead with a legally contested plan to relocate migrants to the neighbouring country.

New legislation passed in January requires Italian appeals courts to approve the detention of asylum seekers rather than special immigration services.

An Italian navy ship arrived Tuesday in Albania with 49 migrants who were intercepted in international waters. Their asylum applications are set to be handled by processing centres in Albania. View on

Italian President Mattarella to visit Auschwitz on Holocaust Memorial Day, Italy resumes migrant transfers to Albanian detention centres, and more news on Monday.

The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.

SHNGJIN: Dozens of migrants arrived in Albania on Tuesday, days after Italy resumed the transfer of asylum seekers

An analysis of recent rescue operations and reception procedures for migrants in Italy.

The Italian government's latest attempt to establish functional migrant camps in Albania saw asylum seekers loaded onto the navy vessel Cassiopea off Lampedusa on Sunday. The Cassiopea was expected to reach the port of Shengjin on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, despite ongoing legal challenges, reported the Associated Press.

An Italian navy ship approaches the port, as Italy sends 49 more migrants to Albania for processing following earlier court rejections, in Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (AP