Firefighter acquitted following arrest at Pope Leo XIV's mass in Palermo
Federal judge María Servini acquitted Tomás Natenzon, arrested in Palermo with false documentation during the papal visit. Medical assessments determined that he did not comprehend the criminality of his acts.
Federal judge acquits firefighter arrested during papal security operation in Palermo
Federal judge María Servini issued an acquittal for Tomás Natenzon, the firefighter arrested on Sunday 8 November in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Palermo whilst attempting to enter the security operation mounted for Pope Leo XIV's visit with a purported false credential, according to eldestapeweb.com.
The ruling was signed last Friday, after the judge received the results of an assessment by the Forensic Medical Corps. The report concluded that Natenzon was able to understand what was occurring around him, but not the criminality of the conduct attributed to him.
The results of that evaluation coincided with those of a previous examination carried out at Hospital Borda, where the young man had been treated by an interdisciplinary team. Both studies identified mental health problems that affected his capacity to comprehend the criminal nature of his acts.
Based on these conclusions, the court ordered the acquittal and established that Natenzon must undergo outpatient treatment. Monitoring of his situation and oversight of compliance with that treatment remained under the jurisdiction of the Civil Court.
The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Monument to the Spanish. Natenzon was intercepted by City Police officers during a checkpoint whilst travelling on a motorcycle. According to the investigation, he was carrying a number plate that purported to be official, forged documentation, communication equipment and a false police siren. These items aroused suspicion among officers, who proceeded to arrest him and referred the matter to Federal Court.
Following the procedure, Servini had ordered his arrest and a search of his home. During the operation, investigators seized radiofrequency devices, computers and a firearm, elements that were incorporated into the case.
A judicial source indicated, following the acquittal, that the incident stemmed from "a suspicion" in response to which "action was taken in that manner, with international standards, taking into account what it meant that the Pope would be there". Natenzon's defence lawyer, Juan Manuel Dragani, was more critical: "There was an exaggerated response to the situation by the security forces. My client was subjected to media ridicule. At the moment of his arrest, my client attempted to explain everything, but they did not listen to him. There should have been a bit more investigation".
Source: Google News AR — Crime