Sexual abuse of 13-year-old in Turin, 42-year-old released after 48 hours
A 42-year-old man accused of sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl was released after 48 hours in custody. The judge's decision sparks a cross-party political reaction.
Turin, 42-year-old released after abuse of minor: Justice Minister sends inspectors
A 42-year-old man, owner of a mini supermarket on the outskirts of Turin, was released after just 48 hours in detention, despite being investigated for sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl. According to ANSA News. The judge for preliminary investigations did not validate the arrest, deeming there was no risk of flight, and imposed only a daily obligation to report to the police station. The suspect will be able to return to work in his shop, in the same neighbourhood as the victim.
The judge's decision was guided by the man's confession, his spotless criminal record, and his cooperation with officers during the investigation. At the hearing, the suspect stated: "I made a mistake. I have never committed crimes, this is the first time it has happened and I am very sorry." The judge assessed the arrest as a "trauma" with a "deterrent effect" sufficient to prevent the risk of reoffending.
Prosecutor Paolo Cappelli had requested validation of the arrest and pre-trial custody in prison. The request was rejected.
The incident
The victim had gone to the neighbourhood mini supermarket, as usual, to buy some fruit juices. The shopkeeper, originally from Bangladesh, approached her, embraced her and touched her gravely. The girl fled the shop and immediately called her mother.
Her account, described by the judge as precise, detailed and coherent, describes the disgust and shock she experienced: "I could no longer move, I called a friend and told him that I was not well. He arrived, took the drinks for me, helped me get up and together we went for a walk to calm me down."
Images from the mini supermarket's security cameras confirmed the 13-year-old's version of events. The footage also shows that just minutes before the assault on the minor, the man had touched a 40-year-old female customer. Police are searching for the woman to verify whether she intends to file a complaint. It was the shopkeeper himself who provided officers with the credentials to access the surveillance software, turning that action into evidence against him.
Political reaction
The judge's decision prompted cross-party reactions, from the right to the left. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated: "We rightly talk a great deal about security. We have written the laws and they are more severe than ever. The police have done their duty very well. The Prosecutor's Office requested the harshest measure. The entire chain worked. And then a ruling comes along that breaks it. But like this it is truly difficult."
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio announced the dispatch of inspectors to Turin. Fratelli d'Italia organised a flash mob outside the police headquarters in the city, whilst Matteo Salvini relaunched the League's proposal for chemical castration on social media.
Criticism also came from the centre-left. Raffaella Paita of Italia Viva and Fiorella Zabatta of Alliance of the Greens and Left took a position, together with Democratic Party parliamentarians on the femicide commission: "Sexual violence against a minor under 14 is serious, concerning, and once again we fear there may have been an underestimation of the risk that women face."
Source: ANSA Cronaca