Mass Sexual Assaults on New Year's Eve Spark Investigations in Milan
Italian authorities probe multiple reports of organized attacks against women near Milan's iconic Duomo square.
Milan is in the spotlight following a series of chilling accounts of mass sexual assaults that occurred in the heart of the city during New Year's Eve celebrations.
These incidents, which have been described as coordinated attacks, are reminiscent of similar events reported in European cities such as Cologne.
The assaults reportedly took place at the entrance of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a well-known landmark in Milan, between midnight and 12:40 AM.
A 20-year-old woman from Emilia-Romagna tearfully recounted her harrowing ordeal to Milanese prosecutors, including Deputy Chief Prosecutor Letizia Mannella and Public Prosecutor Alessia Menegazzo.
As recorded, she was ensnared in a 'human corridor,' allegedly composed mainly of young men of North African descent, and was subjected to groping by several individuals.
Her partner struggled to extricate her from the throng of assailants, ultimately managing to pull her to safety.
This victim's account closely parallels those of other women who were similarly targeted that night, including Laura Barbier, a 22-year-old Belgian student.
Her testimony, provided from Liège, Belgium, where she resides, has formed part of the basis for ongoing investigations by Milan's public prosecutors.
So far, three official complaints have been registered, with additional reports surfacing.
In total, there are believed to be seven victims, as authorities intensify efforts to identify the perpetrators through clothing descriptions, video analyses, and telecommunication records, including facial recognition technology.
Despite the gravity of these events, Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has not publicly addressed the incidents.
This has drawn criticism from figures such as Silvia Sardone, a Member of the European Parliament and councilor for the right-wing League party.
Sardone denounced the mayor's silence, suggesting that political considerations might influence the muted response.
The troubling reports have reignited debates within Italy concerning immigration, integration, and women's safety in public spaces, issues that are of broader relevance across Europe.
The investigation continues as authorities work to bring those responsible to justice and prevent future occurrences of such distressing events.
These incidents, which have been described as coordinated attacks, are reminiscent of similar events reported in European cities such as Cologne.
The assaults reportedly took place at the entrance of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a well-known landmark in Milan, between midnight and 12:40 AM.
A 20-year-old woman from Emilia-Romagna tearfully recounted her harrowing ordeal to Milanese prosecutors, including Deputy Chief Prosecutor Letizia Mannella and Public Prosecutor Alessia Menegazzo.
As recorded, she was ensnared in a 'human corridor,' allegedly composed mainly of young men of North African descent, and was subjected to groping by several individuals.
Her partner struggled to extricate her from the throng of assailants, ultimately managing to pull her to safety.
This victim's account closely parallels those of other women who were similarly targeted that night, including Laura Barbier, a 22-year-old Belgian student.
Her testimony, provided from Liège, Belgium, where she resides, has formed part of the basis for ongoing investigations by Milan's public prosecutors.
So far, three official complaints have been registered, with additional reports surfacing.
In total, there are believed to be seven victims, as authorities intensify efforts to identify the perpetrators through clothing descriptions, video analyses, and telecommunication records, including facial recognition technology.
Despite the gravity of these events, Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has not publicly addressed the incidents.
This has drawn criticism from figures such as Silvia Sardone, a Member of the European Parliament and councilor for the right-wing League party.
Sardone denounced the mayor's silence, suggesting that political considerations might influence the muted response.
The troubling reports have reignited debates within Italy concerning immigration, integration, and women's safety in public spaces, issues that are of broader relevance across Europe.
The investigation continues as authorities work to bring those responsible to justice and prevent future occurrences of such distressing events.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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