Bari, twelve convictions for CasaPound: acknowledged violation of the Scelba law after the 2018 clashes

The Court of Bari closed the proceedings arising from the clashes of 21 September 2018 with 12 convictions on 17 defendants. According to the prosecution, at the end of the demonstration against Matteo Salvini, a group of militants allegedly engaged in conduct referable to the reorganisation of the dissolved fascist party and took part in the aggression of some demonstrators.

The panel chaired by Ambrogio Marrone imposed one year and six months on five people for the sole charge of reconstituting the fascist party. For seven other defendants, the sentence increased to two years and six months, because they were also found responsible for injuries; for them, deprivation of political rights for five years was also ordered. The Court excluded the aggravating circumstance of premeditation for all and acquitted five defendants 'for not having committed the deed'.

The sentence recognises the violation of Articles 1 and 5 of the Scelba law, indicated as a first application in Italia against CasaPound militants for the profiles of fascist reorganisation and manifestation. The motivations will be filed within 90 days.

The convicted defendants will also have to pay compensation to civil parties, including the people assaulted - Eleonora Forenza and her assistant Antonio Perillo, as well as Giacomo Petrelli and Claudio Riccio - and also Anpi, Rifondazione Comunista, the Municipality of Bari and the Puglia Region.

'Count the device, then we will read the motivations,' commented prosecutor Roberto Rossi after the reading in the courtroom.