Italy’s ruling coalition has called for a presidential pardon for 72-year-old jeweller Mario Roggero after the country’s Supreme Court upheld his prison sentence for killing two robbers during a 2021 jewellery store robbery. Roggero was sentenced to 14 years and nine months in prison after the court ruled that he exceeded the limits of legitimate self-defence by chasing and shooting the suspects after the immediate threat had ended.
The case has drawn strong support from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition, which argues that the jeweller was protecting himself, his family, and his business. Coalition leaders have announced plans to collect signatures for a pardon request, which would be reviewed by Italy’s Justice Ministry before being submitted to President Sergio Mattarella.
The incident continues to divide public opinion in Italy, with supporters viewing Roggero as a victim of violent crime, while critics maintain that the use of deadly force outside the shop went beyond lawful self-defence. Roggero has continued to assert his innocence and thanked supporters as he surrendered to begin serving his sentence.
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