Maltese court fines captain of German ‘Lifeline’ ship that rescued over 200 migrants

A Maltese court on Tuesday fined the captain of a German humanitarian ship that rescued more than 200 migrants. The vessel, which entered the Mediterranean island nation’s waters last year, was not properly registered, according to the court.

It opted against jailing the captain, Claus-Peter Reisch, and imposed a fine of €10,000 ($11,300), AP reported. Reisch has eight days to decide whether to appeal the fine.

The court also denied a prosecution motion to confiscate the vessel. The ‘Lifeline’ has been in a Maltese port since last June, and will be free to leave once any appeal is settled.

Malta agreed to give it safe harbor following a six-day standoff, but only after Italy and other EU nations agreed to take in the migrants.