A judge in Catania, Massimo Esser, has challenged Egypt’s classification as a ‘safe country’ for refugees, citing serious human rights violations and frequent arbitrary detentions. This judgment comes just a week after a similar inquiry by a Bologna judge to the European Union regarding Italy’s list of designated safe countries. Esser emphasized that the existence of such a list does not absolve judges from verifying compliance with EU law. The ruling has prompted criticism from Italian politician Matteo Salvini, who claims it undermines Italy’s safety for migrants.