Investigating Judge Replaces Pretrial Detention with a Reporting Requirement — Meloni and Nordio Respond Sharply
Turin – A man accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl and an adult woman at a convenience store in northern Turin has been released after spending two nights in pretrial detention. The investigating judge in charge of the case did not grant the pretrial detention requested by the prosecutor’s office and instead ordered the man to report to the police.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Madonna di Campagna neighborhood. The 42-year-old store owner is alleged to have first harassed an adult female customer and, about 40 minutes later, a 13-year-old female customer. Given the seriousness of the allegations and the risk of reoffending, the prosecutor’s office requested that the suspect be held in pretrial detention. During his hearing, the suspect did not comment in detail on the allegations but stated that it had been a mistake that he deeply regretted.
The investigating judge based his decision on the fact that the man had no prior convictions and had shown remorse during the hearing.
Government sharply criticizes the decision
The reporting requirement imposed on the man obliges him to report to the police regularly in the future—a significantly less severe measure than the pretrial detention originally sought by the public prosecutor's office.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that, in this case, the state had functioned to a certain extent: the police had quickly arrested the suspect, and the prosecutor’s office had requested pretrial detention. However, Meloni went on to say that with a decision that would overturn that detention within 48 hours, it would be difficult to ensure effective security.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio announced that he would send inspectors from his ministry to Turin to investigate the matter. At the same time, he emphasized that the judicial decision falls within the scope of judicial independence. The case has sparked a broad debate in Italy about how the judiciary handles sex crimes, a debate that extends beyond the ruling parties.
