Italy: Reduced Sentence for Migrant Who Raped Minor

Outrage has erupted in Italy following a court decision to reduce the sentence of a migrant from Bangladesh, accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in a migrant center in Collio, Lombardy in 2024.

Initially, the 29-year-old was charged with rape, but the court rejected the charge, accepting his claim that he had a consensual relationship with the girl. The girl was taken to the hospital where rape and pregnancy were confirmed, resulting in an abortion.

The perpetrator was sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexual acts with a minor, with a reduced sentence due to the rapid trial of the case. Simona Bordonali, a member of the "Lega Nord," expressed her surprise at the decision, stressing the need for effective protection of minors.

The accused allegedly gained the trust of the girl's mother and was often left alone with her. He admitted contact with the girl but denied violence, expressing remorse.