Italian naval ship lands 49 people in Albania in a third transfer under controversial 2023 deal between Rome and Tirana.

An Italian navy ship has dropped off 49 migrants in Albania after intercepting them in international waters, in the third attempt to carry out a contentious plan to relocate migrants to be processed under a deal between the two countries.

TIRANA (Reuters) - 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.

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.

Italy has restarted its contentious program of sending asylum seekers picked up in the Mediterranean to Albania, months after jud

Giorgia Meloni's government has built two reception centres in Albania, the first such deal involving a European Union nation diverting migrants to a non-EU country, but they have been empty since November after running into court opposition.

Remaining 44 migrants being held at Albania’s Gjader facility, where their asylum applications to be processed - Anadolu Ajansı

Italy has resumed sending illegal migrants to its new Albania processing centre as Giorgia Meloni, the country’s prime minister, attempts to circumvent the European Court of Justice (ECJ).