The first degree trial on the clashes that took place on 11th March ended with five sentences of six years in prison, one sentence of two years and two acquittals.March 11, 2017 near the Mostra d'Oltremare during a rally of Matteo Salvini, leader of the League and now Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. At the time, Salvini was in opposition and his presence in the city had caused strong tensions.
The sentence, issued by the third criminal section of the Court of Naples, involved nine defendants, defended by lawyers Alfonso Tatarano, Carmine Malinconico, Emilio Coppola, Natalia Fuccia, Davide Fico e Antonella DistefanoThe judges convicted five of them for devastation and resistance to a public official, with sentences of six years. Another defendant was sentenced to two years for the sole crime of resistance. Two people were fully acquitted, while one position had been previously separated.
The event, organized under the name “We with Salvini”, took place in Palacongressi of the Mostra d'OltremareIn the neighborhood Fuorigrotta, in a climate of heated controversy. The choice of location was at the center of an institutional clash: initially, the top management of the Exhibition had denied authorization for the event, but the Prefecture intervened with an ordinance a few hours before the start, imposing the holding of the rally.
In parallel, a procession of over 5.000 demonstrators, composed largely of activists from social movements and centres, started from Piazza Sannazaro directed towards FuorigrottaClashes erupted along the route, turning the neighborhood streets into a battlefield between protesters and law enforcement.
It was a sentence that affected many, but I am honestly not sure if the sentences are fair or not. Trials in Italy often last too long and the results are not always clear. I wonder if there will be an appeal.