Verdict in Askatasuna Trial: Court Acquits Association Charge, Issues Multiple Sentences
In a significant ruling, the court in Turin absolved 16 members of the Askatasuna social center of charges related to criminal association, while sentencing 18 others for individual offenses.
On the afternoon of the verdict in the Askatasuna trial in Turin, substantial developments emerged regarding the 28 defendants involved.
The court dropped the charges of criminal association against 16 defendants, stating that the allegations were unfounded.
Meanwhile, 18 individuals received sentences related to specific incidents, with sentences ranging from 5 months to 4 years and 9 months.
Giorgio Rossetto, a prominent leader of the Askatasuna social center, was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months, while Umberto Raviola received the most severe punishment of 4 years and 9 months.
Acquittals were also recorded for noted activists Dana Lauriola, the historical spokesperson for Askatasuna, and Guido Marco Bori, who was accused of being one of the instigators of the alleged criminal association.
The courtroom erupted into applause from supporters of the accused upon hearing the acquittal of the association charges, interrupting the reading of the verdict.
The public prosecutor’s office had sought a total of 88 years of incarceration across the cases.
The court rejected the request for damages amounting to €6.8 million from the Italian State Advocacy.
The only monetary compensation awarded was €500 to TELT, the company managing the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail link, in addition to approximately €7,000 in legal fees for other state entities.
Roberto Lamacchia, the attorney for several defendants, criticized the prosecution's theory regarding criminal association as baseless, asserting that the judges conducted a meticulous review of the crimes involved with suitably lenient penalties.
He described the trial as excessively drawn-out and costly.
Security was heightened around the Palace of Justice due to announced protests by anarchist groups and No Tav activists outside the courthouse.
Several activists had gathered, displaying banners and blocking traffic, voicing their opposition to the prosecution's actions.
The hearing commenced at 11 AM, filled with young activists.
Previously, pro-Askatasuna supporters had chanted traditional resistance songs following court sessions.
Activists protested against a prosecutor's circular that prohibited entry to certain individuals identified as being under prevention measures, implementing identification requirements for everyone entering the courtroom.
The circular also banned the introduction of helmets, megaphones, masks, and any other items that could disrupt court proceedings.
Dana Lauriola criticized these measures as alarmist, joking about concealing a megaphone.
Reactions to the verdict varied across the political spectrum.
Paolo Ferrero, secretary of the local Communist Refoundation party, welcomed the court's rejection of the prosecution's assertions regarding social struggles being equated to organized crime, stating that the Askatasuna and No Tav movements stand for legitimate defense of local communities.
Ilaria Cucchi, a senator from the Left, reiterated that the judged concluded that neither Askatasuna nor the No Tav movement constituted a criminal association or terrorist group, emphasizing the need for institutional reflection on how dissent has been criminalized.
Marco Grimaldi, Alice Ravinale, and Sara Diena from the Left party highlighted that the acquittal of the criminal association charge proved their long-held view that the allegations were ungrounded, noting that the social activities of Askatasuna were aimed at community support.
They remarked that criminal responsibility lies with individuals and not with organized entities, denouncing the prosecution's attempts to portray Askatasuna as a criminal collective.
They emphasized the continuation of Askatasuna as a community asset.
Conversely, Fabrizio Ricca, group leader of the Lega in Piedmont, expressed hope that the verdict would not serve as an excuse for ongoing illegal activities by Askatasuna members.
Paolo Zangrillo, minister for public administration, maintained his stance against the movement, insisting that any use of violence should be condemned, calling for closure of the social center.
Elena Chiorino, vice president of the Piedmont region, characterized the members of Askatasuna as irredeemable criminals while acknowledging the need to respect the judicial process.
Augusta Montaruli of Fratelli d'Italia expressed that those who threaten public order through violence cannot be considered legitimate interlocutors of the State or local administrations.
The court dropped the charges of criminal association against 16 defendants, stating that the allegations were unfounded.
Meanwhile, 18 individuals received sentences related to specific incidents, with sentences ranging from 5 months to 4 years and 9 months.
Giorgio Rossetto, a prominent leader of the Askatasuna social center, was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months, while Umberto Raviola received the most severe punishment of 4 years and 9 months.
Acquittals were also recorded for noted activists Dana Lauriola, the historical spokesperson for Askatasuna, and Guido Marco Bori, who was accused of being one of the instigators of the alleged criminal association.
The courtroom erupted into applause from supporters of the accused upon hearing the acquittal of the association charges, interrupting the reading of the verdict.
The public prosecutor’s office had sought a total of 88 years of incarceration across the cases.
The court rejected the request for damages amounting to €6.8 million from the Italian State Advocacy.
The only monetary compensation awarded was €500 to TELT, the company managing the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail link, in addition to approximately €7,000 in legal fees for other state entities.
Roberto Lamacchia, the attorney for several defendants, criticized the prosecution's theory regarding criminal association as baseless, asserting that the judges conducted a meticulous review of the crimes involved with suitably lenient penalties.
He described the trial as excessively drawn-out and costly.
Security was heightened around the Palace of Justice due to announced protests by anarchist groups and No Tav activists outside the courthouse.
Several activists had gathered, displaying banners and blocking traffic, voicing their opposition to the prosecution's actions.
The hearing commenced at 11 AM, filled with young activists.
Previously, pro-Askatasuna supporters had chanted traditional resistance songs following court sessions.
Activists protested against a prosecutor's circular that prohibited entry to certain individuals identified as being under prevention measures, implementing identification requirements for everyone entering the courtroom.
The circular also banned the introduction of helmets, megaphones, masks, and any other items that could disrupt court proceedings.
Dana Lauriola criticized these measures as alarmist, joking about concealing a megaphone.
Reactions to the verdict varied across the political spectrum.
Paolo Ferrero, secretary of the local Communist Refoundation party, welcomed the court's rejection of the prosecution's assertions regarding social struggles being equated to organized crime, stating that the Askatasuna and No Tav movements stand for legitimate defense of local communities.
Ilaria Cucchi, a senator from the Left, reiterated that the judged concluded that neither Askatasuna nor the No Tav movement constituted a criminal association or terrorist group, emphasizing the need for institutional reflection on how dissent has been criminalized.
Marco Grimaldi, Alice Ravinale, and Sara Diena from the Left party highlighted that the acquittal of the criminal association charge proved their long-held view that the allegations were ungrounded, noting that the social activities of Askatasuna were aimed at community support.
They remarked that criminal responsibility lies with individuals and not with organized entities, denouncing the prosecution's attempts to portray Askatasuna as a criminal collective.
They emphasized the continuation of Askatasuna as a community asset.
Conversely, Fabrizio Ricca, group leader of the Lega in Piedmont, expressed hope that the verdict would not serve as an excuse for ongoing illegal activities by Askatasuna members.
Paolo Zangrillo, minister for public administration, maintained his stance against the movement, insisting that any use of violence should be condemned, calling for closure of the social center.
Elena Chiorino, vice president of the Piedmont region, characterized the members of Askatasuna as irredeemable criminals while acknowledging the need to respect the judicial process.
Augusta Montaruli of Fratelli d'Italia expressed that those who threaten public order through violence cannot be considered legitimate interlocutors of the State or local administrations.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
