After his assault on the Italian judicial system and advocating for authoritarian rule, Elon Musk attacked the civil sea rescue organization Sea-Watch on his platform X, calling the organization “criminal”. This happened the same day Sea-Watch filed criminal charges against Italian authorities, including multiple counts of negligent manslaughter, referring to a shipwreck that left 21 people dead.
After deliberately attacking Italian democracy, Musk faced widespread condemnation. In response to criticism from Sea-Watch about his interference in Italy’s judicial system, he called the organization “criminal”. Musk had assaulted Italian judges on his platform X before, singling them out for following European law when they rightfully ordered the Italian government to bring back seven people to Italy. Those seven had previously been transferred to an extraterritorial detention center in Albania by Italian authorities.
Ironically, Musk’s uninformed insult referred to a statement at a press conference where Sea-Watch announced legal action against Italian authorities. The legal charges, including multiple accounts of negligent manslaughter, refer to a shipwreck that took place on September 2 this year, in which 21 people drowned.
Musk’s baseless smear aims to discredit those who challenge reckless anti-democratic rhetorics and policies. Sea-Watch is a frontline humanitarian organization committed to saving lives in the Mediterranean — the deadliest border worldwide. Since 2014, more than 30.000 people have drowned while attempting to flee to safety. The owner of the social media platform X resorts to a typical playbook of the powerful: attacking those who expose their failures.
Sea-Watch opposes a profit-driven system that prioritizes borders over human lives. We operate lawfully and transparently, driven by solidarity and the urgent need for justice in a world where billionaires like Musk deepen inequality and fuel misinformation.
Oliver Kulikowski, Sea-Watch spokesperson: “An elite’s tantrum will not silence us. Unfortunately, Elon Musk is an internet bully who also takes place in real life. Sea-Watch will continue to fight for a world where no one drowns in search of safety and dignity.”
More information on Sea-Watch’s legal case against Italian authorities.
