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.

New legislation passed in January requires Italian appeals courts to approve the detention of asylum seekers rather than special immigration services.

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

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.

An Italian navy ship has dropped off 49 migrants in Albania after intercepting them in international waters, in the third attempt to carry out a contentious plan to relocate migrants to be processed under a deal between the two countries.

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

A second vulnerable adult migrant is set to return to Italy from Albania after four minors and a vulnerable man were sent back Tuesday from Italy's innovative but controversial migrant processing scheme in the Balkan country,

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.

Italy has earmarked 650 million euros ($675 ... Meloni has repeatedly stressed that plans to process migrants outside EU borders in Albania had received strong backing from other European leaders.

Inter Milan midfielder Kristjan Asllani addressed the media in the lead-up to a high-stakes Champions League showdown against Monaco. During his pre-match chat with Prime via FCInterNews, the 22-year-old admitted he’d be disappointed not to take three points tonight.

Italy brought 49 migrants to Albania on Tuesday. An Italian navy ship brought the people to the port of Shengjin. Their asylum applications are to be decided there. Italy is the first EU country to set up camps for asylum seekers outside the EU.