Follow the Money: The Podcast Meloni's €70 million migration fiasco
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Sep 17, 2025 Investigative journalist James Imam, based in Milan, dives into Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ambitious but disastrous offshore migrant centers in Albania. He reveals how the project turned into a €70 million mess with spiraling costs and empty beds. Imam discusses the political dynamics between Italy and Albania and the EU's ongoing support despite legal hurdles and human rights concerns. He further highlights the troubling human impact, including tragic outcomes for migrants caught in the flawed system.
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Offshore Processing Was The Core Strategy
- Meloni's offshore hubs were meant to process asylum requests in Albania under Italian law to stop arrivals to Italy.
- The plan aimed to rapidly reject claims and deport people without them setting foot in EU territory.
Leaked Files Show Individual Harm
- Leaked legal documents let journalists trace four Bangladeshi migrants' traumatic journeys to Albania.
- They were kept on military boats, redirected without their knowledge, and experienced severe stress and rights concerns.
True Costs Nearly Doubled
- Officially reported construction costs of ~€40m were misleading and far lower than reality.
- James Imam found near €75m spent, with funds reallocated from various public budgets.