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.

Italian navy ship drops off 49 migrants in Albania despite previous court rejections - Giorgia Meloni’s Italian government is looking to relocate migrants to Albania in a contentious plan

An Italian navy ship arrived Tuesday in Albania with 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centers, in the third such attempt following hurdles earlier raised by Italian courts.

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.

The attempt at processing at special centres in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November.

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

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).

The Italian navy vessel Cassiopea detected 49 migrants during its patrols in the Mediterranean and is transferring them to processing centres in Albania, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday. This is the third attempt to process adult male migrants in Albania after the first two transfers under a scheme launched in October were blocked due to legal hurdles.