A 42-year-old man was freed by a Turin judge just two days after being arrested for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.. The court's decision to release the suspect based on his expressed remorse has sparked a national outcry in Italy.
The Turin mini market assault and the 'two tequilas' defense
The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon at a convenience store in northern Turin.. According to the report, a 13-year-old girl entered the mini market to purchase a fruit juice for her brother when she was approached by a 42-year-old Bengali man who had been employed at the store for over two years. The man reportedly asked to "hug her" before sexually assaulting the minor.
During his subsequent legal proceedings, the suspect attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had consumed "two tequilas ." Despite the nature of the crime, the suspect was released on Monday, only 48 hours after the initial assault took place.
Surveillance footage and a second victim 40 minutes prior
The legal case against the suspect was bolstered by significant evidence, including video surveillance from the store. As the report says, this footage revealed that the Bengali man had assaulted another woman just 40 minutes before he targeted the 13-year-old girl. Furthermore, the young victim testified that the man had previously "put his hand" on her during a similar encounter two weeks prior to the Saturday attack.
Medical evidence also supported the victim's claims, as she was examined by a pediatrician at Turin's Regina Margherita hospital following the assault. Police officers noted the suspect's "agitated state" and restless behavior during their initial questioning at the scene.
A 48-hour turnaround from arrest to release
Despite the prosecutor's request for jail time and the judge's own admission that there was "strong evidence of guilt," the suspect was granted immediate release.. The judge acknowledged that the victim's testimony was consistent and coorroborated by camera footage, yet determined that the man's "remorse" and "cooperative attitude" warranted his freedom.
This decision has highlighted a perceived gap in the Italian justice system, where a suspect's apology was given more weight than the documented trauma of a minor and evidence of repeat predatory behavior.
Giorgia Meloni's Justice Ministry inspectors in Turin
The ruling prompted an immediate and fierce reaction from the highest levels of the Italian government. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni used her official Facebook account to condemn the release, questioning how the family and the local neighborhood are expected to feel knowing the man has returned to the community.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio confirmed that inspectors from the Justice Ministry have been dispatched to Turin to gather information on the case. While Nordio noted that the ruling falls under the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary, the government is treating the "exceptional circumstances" and subsequent social commotion as a priority. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini expressed disgust, with his party, Lega, reiterating calls for the chemical castration of rapists.
Who will ensure the safety of the Turin neighborhood?
While the political response has been swift, several critical details remain unverified. The source report does not clarfy whether the 42-year-old man remains employed at the mini market or if the business has terminated his contract following the evidence of multiple assaults.. Furthermore, the identity of the judge who ordered the release has not been disclosed, leaving a void in the public's understanding of the specific legal reasoning used to override the prosecutor's request for detention.
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