Updates on status of the two witnesses summoned for examination and clarification regarding an incomplete expert assignment and the upcoming hearing schedule.

Indexing adjustments ordered for expert reports on evidence received and upcoming examinations and hearing dates clarified.

Evidence from Italian MRCC & Coast Guard of vessels’ positions and communications added to the case file and additional hearing dates set.

Hearings postponed – Data on ships’ movement tracking and communications with the IMRCC to be possibly examined in January and two witnesses for the prosecution to be examined in February

Examination of the Captain (employed by shipping company Vroon) of the Vos Prudence, the SAR vessel chartered by Médecins Sans Frontières

Examination of the head of mission of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the team leader of Save the Children (STC)

Two Iuventa defendants deliver oral statements in court (dichiarazioni spontanee), while third is filed in writing

Two expert witnesses examined on the methodology and translation of wiretapped communications and judge announces receiving the Court of Cassation’s legal reasoning on territorial competence (ruling of 6 July 2023)

Judge refuses to suspend proceedings pending the CJEU ruling, while defense requests to hear expert witnesses on the transcription of wiretapped communications and forensic analysis of specific SAR operations

Prosecution responds to defense challenges regarding wiretapping on MSF ship Vos Prudence and judge rules rejecting all defense

The judge reported on Italy’s Court of Cassation ruling on territorial competence and MSF lawyers challenged the usability of evidence obtained via wiretapping

Judge rejects Iuventa’s constitutional complaint and request for ruling from the Court of Justice of the EU regarding translation of “essential documents

Prosecution presents submissions on the constitutional complaint and Iuventa defense lawyers submit requests for a preliminary ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning translation of essential documents

Judge rejects prior claims on inadequate evidence sharing and Iuventa lawyers submit a constitutional complaint challenging the legal basis of the crew’s criminalization for facilitation of irregular entry

Prosecution responds to defense challenges regarding evidence sharing, submits reformulation of charges against the accused and judge confirms plan to improve defendants’ rights to adequate interpretation with equipment

The judge notes UN Special Rapporteurs’ fair trial concerns and addresses territorial competence of the Trapani Court, while defense counsel seeks remedy for the prosecution’s failure to share evidence

Judge upholds Italy’s jurisdiction and refers territorial competence question to the Court of Cassation

Iuventa defendant reads statement on recent Crotone shipwreck and Prosecution presents submissions on the jurisdiction and territorial competence of the Court of Trapani

Judge partially grants the Italian government’s request to become joint plaintiffs and defence lawyers challenge jurisdiction and territorial competence of the Court of Trapani

Defense lawyers challenge Italian government’s request to join as plaintiffs and judge rules quality of interpretation during defendant’s police questioning adequate

Hearing postponed – Court-appointed experts need more time to assess quality of interpretation provided to Iuventa defendant

Progress made on defendants’ rights to adequate interpretation, while Italian government makes rare request to become joint plaintiffs

Hearing postponed – Independent observers access court for first time, but authorities again fail to provide defendants with adequate interpretation

Hearing postponed – police failed to question Iuventa defendant

Suspension of the proceeding

First hearing – Effective notice and access of independent observers

READ what the trial observers have to say about their involvement and about the significance and function of the pre-trial phase.