Frontex Video Shows Sea-Watch Rescue Operation, Italy Investigates NGO for Aiding Illegal Entry
A video obtained by Die Welt from the EU border protection agency Frontex shows a May 11 rescue operation by the NGO Sea-Watch in the Mediterranean, where approximately 90 migrants, mostly from Bangladesh, were transferred from a smuggler's boat to Sea-Watch inflatables. The smugglers, reportedly armed and wearing balaclavas, were seen waving and giving thumbs up after the handover. Italy is investigating Sea-Watch for 'aiding illegal entry,' while the organization denies any collaboration with smugglers, stating the video shows only a selective excerpt and that their team was confronted by masked men. The incident has sparked political controversy, with AfD leader Alice Weidel accusing sea rescuers of working 'hand in hand' with criminal gangs. Sea-Watch counters that sea rescue is an obligation under international law and accuses the EU of supporting Libyan actors despite documented violence against migrants.
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