A 24-year-old Egyptian man recently received compensation of over 157,000 euros for wrongful imprisonment. This significant award comes after almost two years spent in prison on charges of kidnapping and other crimes. Arrested in May 2021, the young man was fully acquitted in March 2022. The decision was made by the fifth criminal section of the Court of Appeal of Milan, composed of judges Tallarida, Criscione and Ravera.
The compensation was granted following the request presented by lawyers Marco Romagnoli and Debora Piazza. The sentence, now final, not only marks an important step for the young Egyptian, but also opens the way to similar requests by four other compatriots who have experienced a similar situation. The latter are also awaiting compensation for wrongful detention related to cases dating back to the same period. In March 2023, a group of seven Egyptians were acquitted of serious charges such as kidnapping and assault. The sentences handed down included wording such as “the fact does not exist,” leading to the immediate release of those involved from initial sentences of up to seven years.
The young man who was awarded compensation was initially charged with a series of crimes including robbery, kidnapping and attempted extortion. He was sentenced to six years and six months in prison at first instance. However, the appeal judges made it clear that his right to compensation could not be compromised by the fact that he chose not to answer during post-arrest questioning.
“Not even having availed himself of the right to remain silent can be considered as a prejudice”, the judges underlined in their reasoning.
This case raises broader questions about criminal justice and the treatment of prisoners in Italy. While the case of the young Egyptian ends with a positive outcome, it remains to be seen how the institutions will address similar requests from other prisoners involved. The issue of unjust detention highlights the need for a legal system that can guarantee respect for fundamental rights and the proper application of justice.
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