Italy's Salvini ridicules calling of actor Gere to kidnapping trial

Leader of Italy's right-wing League party Matteo Salvini leaves after a hearing in the trial against him on charges of kidnapping over his decision to prevent more than 100 migrants from landing in the country in 2019, in Palermo, Italy, October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello

PALERMO, Italy (Reuters) - Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's right-wing League party, said a trial where he faces kidnapping charges for refusing to let a migrant ship dock in the country in 2019 was not serious as actor Richard Gere was admitted to testify.

Salvini, who was Italy's interior minister at that time, appeared on Saturday at the second hearing of a trial in the Sicilian capital Palermo, where the court approved a list of witnesses.