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.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s first attempt to have asylum seekers held for assessment overseas was immediately blocked by judges. Now another is underway.

The Italian government's latest attempt to establish functional migrant camps in Albania saw asylum seekers loaded onto the navy vessel Cassiopea off Lampedusa on Sunday. The Cassiopea was expected to reach the port of Shengjin on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, despite ongoing legal challenges, reported the Associated Press.

A navy ship is now sailing to Shengjin in Albania with dozens of migrants on board, mostly from Egypt and Bangladesh, which are deemed safe countries. View on euronews

Italy's navy on Sunday was taking 49 migrants it picked up in international waters to detention facilities in Albania, the interior ministry said, resuming a plan to curb sea arrivals mired in legal controversy.

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...

To ease the strain on Italy’s migrant reception system by sending asylum seekers to centres in Albania. But legal challenges have repeatedly delayed its implementation, with critics questioning whether it complies with European and international laws.

Italian navy ship Cassiopea has transported 49 migrants to Albania for processing under a contested scheme blocked by legal issues. Despite Italian courts' earlier opposition, the scheme seeks to process detained migrants quickly.