A 42-year-old illegal Bangladeshi immigrant, who was detained for only 48 hours, was released after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
The reprehensible decision was made by a judge in Turin, who based her decision on the "apologies" offered by the offender, despite the fact that there were considered “serious indications of guilt” in the case.
The incident occurred in the Madonna di Campagna neighborhood when the minor left her home to buy food for her siblings and entered a small supermarket where the immigrant worked. According to the investigation, the man allegedly forced her to endure sexual acts inside the establishment.
The Italian police
The teenager managed to escape from the store and immediately called her mother. Then, the family went to the police, and the procedure was initiated that ended with the suspect's arrest. The security cameras in the store were crucial in reconstructing what happened and supporting the minor's account.
The judge considered that there were “serious indications of guilt” and stated that the teenager's account was logical and coherent, in addition to being supported by the images recorded in the supermarket.
The recordings also showed that, just minutes before the incident reported by the minor, the man had approached and harassed another customer, approximately 40 years old.
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni
He was released for asking "forgiveness"
Despite these elements, the accused was released after spending only two nights in prison. During the interrogation, he claimed he had never committed crimes and expressed remorse for what happened. “I made a mistake. I have never committed crimes, this is the first time it has happened, and I am very sorry,” he declared.
The judge took into account his lack of prior offenses and his cooperative attitude during the interrogation. Instead of remaining in prison, the man will have to report daily to the authorities to sign.
The ruling, however, also acknowledges the existence of a “concrete and current danger” that he may commit similar acts. Even so, that risk did not result in his continued incarceration.
The magistrate also did not validate the initial arrest, understanding, according to her, that a flight risk was not sufficiently established.
The decision provoked a strong reaction and led the Italian Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, to send inspectors to the Turin Court to examine the procedure that ended with the release of the sexual offender.
