Rome, July 10 (RHC)-- A German rescue ship has picked up 44 people, including babies and children, off the Libyan coast, after they were stranded at sea.  The charity vessel, operated by Sea-Eye, recently transferred another 65 migrants to Malta after Italy refused to let the ship enter ts ports.

This comes as human rights groups and German officials blasted Italy for arresting Carola Rackete, the 31-year-old German captain of the Sea-Watch 3 refugee rescue ship, as she tried to bring dozens of asylum seekers to safety.

Rackete has since been freed and says she plans to sue Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini for defamation. Over the weekend, thousands marched in German cities in support of Rackete and to call out the criminalization of humanitarian aid.