Italian authorities have rejected the asylum requests of 43 asylum-seekers transferred to Albania in a speedy procedure that a non-governmental delegation observing the process said illegally deprived them of legal assistance.

Italy's attempt to house migrants in non-EU member state Albania while it processes their asylum applications has already failed twice. Will things work out for Giorgia Meloni's government this time round?

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

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.

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.

Italy has once again transferred migrants to Albania, despite previous legal defeats, after an Italian Navy ship carrying 49 refugees docked in the port of the Albanian city of Shëngjin, the Italian news agency ANSA reported on Tuesday.

Tuesday's boat was the first to arrive in Albania following a monthslong pause. The European Court of Justice is set to review the scheme in February.