Trial over killing of Rachid Nachad: racist conversations between military personnel emerge in court
The Varese court is hearing a case concerning the death of a 32-year-old Moroccan citizen that occurred in 2023. The family's lawyers denounce discriminatory attitudes on the part of some members of the security forces.
Trial over killing of Rachid Nachad: racist conversations between military personnel emerge in court
A crucial hearing was held at Varese court to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death of Rachid Nachad, a 32-year-old Moroccan man found dead on 10 February 2023 among the trees in Castelveccana, a locality in the province of Varese. According to the investigation, the death was caused by a non-lethal round fired at close range.
Two uniformed officers are answering for the incident: a carabiniere already serving at the Luino station, who must answer for causing the victim's death, and a superior officer who was later transferred to another position, accused of covering up the facts.
Today's hearing, presided over by judge Marcello Buffa, included testimony lasting over three hours from a ballistics expert called by the defence. Four other officers who were serving alongside the defendants had also been summoned, but their interrogation was postponed to 24 September at the request of the injured party.
The lawyer representing the relatives of the deceased, Marco Romagnoli, made serious statements to the press. He spoke of a hostile climate towards North Africans, noting that among the seized materials is a messaging chat with an evocative name: "Mao Hunting", which would be translated as "Moroccan hunting". The solicitor argued that multiple members of the Carabinieri had adopted predatory conduct towards people of North African origin, acting with firearms brought from home and using an operational method also known to higher commands.
Romagnoli further complained that the Defence Ministry had not appeared in court as a civil party, despite the reputational damage caused to state institutions.
The opposing parties rejected the prosecution's arguments. Luca Marsico, the superior officer's defence counsel, stated that the matter would be addressed in the course of the streamlined proceedings. Lucio Lucia, who represents the officer accused of firing the shot, downplayed the issue: he explained that the messages were used to organise anti-drug operations in the wooded area, and that any jokes were part of the normal playful tone between colleagues.
Source: ANSA
Source: ANSA Cronaca