Italian soldier attacks ex-partner in courtroom following six-month suspended assault sentence

Attack following sentence delivery

Agostino Di Novo, a 40-year-old soldier in the Italian Army, attacked his 35-year-old former partner inside a courtroom on the morning of Saturday, 12 September 2026. The assault took place immediately after the judge finished reading the verdict in a criminal trial against him for causing bodily injury (lesioni). The court had handed down a six-month suspended prison sentence. Di Novo stood up from the defendants' bench, crossed the courtroom, and repeatedly struck the woman with a pointed object. The victim was seated on the opposite side of the room next to honorary deputy prosecutor Alessandra D'Aversa. Initial reports placed the proceeding in northeastern Italy, with ANSA and Fanpage identifying the venue as Udine while other regional reports cited Trieste.

Immediate restraint and emergency response

Two law enforcement officers, a carabiniere and a state police officer attending the courthouse as witnesses in a separate case, tackled and immobilized Di Novo inside the courtroom. Simultaneously, a court employee rushed to assist the injured woman, pulling her into the adjacent deliberation room (camera di consiglio) and barring the door to prevent further violence. Emergency medical responders from Sores arrived at the courthouse to administer first aid. Paramedics transported the 35-year-old victim to a local emergency room for medical treatment, where doctors evaluated wounds to her neck and leg. Di Novo was arrested on site in flagrante delicto and transferred to the prison in Udine.

Criminal charges and judicial proceedings

Public prosecutor Giorgio Milillo opened an expanded case against the soldier, pressing formal accusations of attempted murder, making threats, unlawful possession of an offensive weapon, and disruption of a public service. The prosecutor also presented an aggravating allegation of premeditation during proceedings. A preliminary investigations hearing took place on the morning of 12 September 2026 before judge Giulia Pussini. The magistrate heard preliminary arguments and reserved her final decision on the formal validation of the arrest and the imposition of precautionary custodial measures.

Defense arguments and domestic violence case

The original criminal proceeding against Di Novo centered on an earlier domestic altercation in which he was accused of grabbing his former partner by the arms and pushing her while attempting to force her out of their shared home. Following the courtroom incident, the defendant's father and sister arrived at the courthouse to confer with defense attorney Igor Cigliani. The prosecution requested that Di Novo remain remanded in prison custody throughout the investigation, while Cigliani argued that his client should instead be placed under house arrest at his parents' residence in Sicily. Cigliani addressed the Messaggero Veneto regarding the defense position following the hearing.

He made his statements, he is shaken by what happened. It was not his intention to end up hurting the victim. Premeditation was also alleged against him. The prosecutor asked for custody in prison, I asked for house arrest at his parents' house in Sicily.