MILAN (AP) — The 31-year-old German captain with tied-back dreadlocks and a steady voice has enraged Italy's interior minister as she defies Sicily port authorities in defense of dozens of migrants rescued at sea off lawless Libya.

Matteo Salvini has derided Carola Rackete as "that uppity captain" and "a heroine from the left, born white, rich and German."

An experienced sailor, Rackete has commanded a handful of rescue missions for the German humanitarian group Sea-Watch since joining in 2016.

But her current mission, a 16-day stand-off with Italian authorities after rescuing 53 migrants June 12, has put her on the international stage in a very personal way.

Rackete was placed under investigation by Sicilian prosecutors Friday for allegedly aiding illegal immigration and refusal to obey a war ship.