About the constitutional court hearing on the convictions for the anarchists Alfredo Cospito and Anna Beniamino in the Scripta Manent trial (Rome, 18 April 2023)
Today the hearing took place in the constitutional court for the case of Alfredo Cospito and Anna Beniamino concerning the accusation of political massacre (art. 285 c. p.) within the Scripta Manent trial.
The existing Cirielli law (year 2005, Berlusconi government) prevents mitigating factors from outweighing aggravating factors in the event of recidivism. Particularly in Alfredo Cospito’s case, this would have resulted in a definite sentence of life imprisonment despite the fact that the action he and Anna are accused of did not cause any victims.
The court therefore found this rule unconstitutional. What is more, reading the brief press release that came out of the courthouse, the court seems to have raised doubts of constitutionality in general with regard to all those cases where the fixed penalty is uniquely life imprisonment.
We recall that Alfredo Cospito is on hunger strike for almost 6 months precisely against 41 bis and life imprisonment without parole. A struggle for which the comrade is risking his life and during which he may already have suffered permanent neurological damage. A struggle which Alfredo has always emphasised is not just for himself, but for everyone, in particular in solidariety with the anarchist, communist and revolutionary prisoners. The decision today will have consequences not only on the fate of our comrade, but it is a blow, no matter how circumscribed, to the institution of life imprisonment in this country.
While reiterating that we have no confidence in the institutions of the State, knowing the arrogance and hypocrisy of these characters: without the comrade’s hunger strike and the international solidarity that has been expressed, we are certain that no such result could ever have been achieved. The State would have tarmacked over the prisoners and attempted to annihilate the movement.
A State vendetta is being carried out against Alfredo, intended as a warning to anyone who continues to act, therefore to struggle with deeds, not chatter, against the present social order. Today confirms that. The anarchist movement has been capable of returning that warning to sender, with determination and conscience. We are waiting for the next few hours to understand Alfredo’s decision and for further comments.
The struggle continues.
Alfredo out from 41 bis!
Against 41 bis and life without parole!
Solidarity with all the anarchist, communist and revolutionary prisoners throughout the world!
[18th April 2023]
[Received by mail and published in https://lanemesi.noblogs.org/post/2023/04/18/a-proposito-delludienza-alla-corte-costituzionale-sulle-condanne-per-gli-anarchici-alfredo-cospito-e-anna-beniamino-nel-processo-scripta-manent-roma-18-aprile-2023/]
Translated by Act for freedom now!