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.

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.

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.

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.

Processing centres became operational in October but European judges ruled against detention of first groups transferred there