Italy sends court inspectors after judge frees suspect in Turin minor sexual assault case

Judicial ruling and release

A preliminary investigation judge in Turin ordered the release of a 42-year-old minimarket employee accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and another customer. The suspect had spent 48 hours in the Lorusso e Cutugno prison following his detention by police. Public prosecutor Paolo Cappelli had requested pre-trial detention in prison, but the judge rejected the measure and declined to validate the arrest, citing the absence of flight risk. The court instead imposed a daily reporting obligation at the nearest police station. Defense attorney Francesca D'Urzo represented the 42-year-old during the hearing, where the judge cited the suspect's clean criminal record, cooperation, and expressed repentance as grounds for the decision.

Details of the incident and evidence

The alleged assault occurred on Saturday in a minimarket located in the Madonna di Campagna district on the northern outskirts of Turin. The 13-year-old victim entered the store to purchase juice and snacks for her siblings. While she was at the counter to pay, the worker approached, embraced her, and subjected her to sexual assault among the aisles. The girl fled the shop and immediately contacted her mother by phone, waiting on the pavement for assistance before the family reported the incident to police. Surveillance camera footage verified the victim's account and revealed that the same man had approached and harassed a 40-year-old woman inside the store 40 minutes earlier. The judge noted that the suspect had assisted authorities in accessing the camera recordings.

Government reaction and ministerial inspection

The court ruling prompted sharp responses from Italian government officials and cabinet members across political lines. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued that judicial decisions of this nature undermine state efforts to enforce public security and uphold criminal legislation.

Rightly, we talk a lot about security. The government is rightly asked to account for what is not working. But here the question must be asked in full. We wrote the laws, and they are stricter than ever. The police did their job very well. The prosecution asked for the harshest measure. The whole chain worked. And then a ruling arrives that breaks it. We move forward. Norme, men, vehicles, resources. All the way. But like this, it is truly difficult.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio announced the dispatch of ministry inspectors to the Turin court to review the proceedings.

I note that the preliminary investigation judge's decision falls within the scope of the autonomy and independence of the judiciary, with which I cannot and must not interfere. Nonetheless, taking into account the exceptional nature of the case and the social alarm caused, I have ordered the dispatch of inspectors to acquire every useful evaluation.

Nordio stated that while the preliminary judge operated within judicial autonomy, the exceptional nature of the incident warranted formal administrative inquiry.

Political protests and disciplinary review

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini supported the inspection and renewed his party's legislative push for chemical castration for sex offenders. In Turin, Fratelli d'Italia lawmakers staged a demonstration outside the local police headquarters, demanding the closure of the store. Chamber of Deputies deputy group leader Augusta Montaruli and Piedmont Region vice president Maurizio Marrone stated that allowing the suspect to return to work posed safety risks to the neighbourhood. Opposition lawmakers, including Raffaella Paita of Italia Viva, Fiorella Zabatta of Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, and Democratic Party members of the parliamentary femicide commission, also condemned the release decision. Meanwhile, High Council of the Judiciary lay members Claudia Eccher and Isabella Bertolini began assessing whether to open a professional conduct inquiry and request a disciplinary review by the Prosecutor General.