Italy's center-right divided over jeweler's self-defense case

The Italian center-right coalition is experiencing internal friction over the case of Mario Roggero, a jeweler sentenced to 14 years and 9 months for killing two robbers. The Lega party is actively campaigning to broaden the legal definition of self-defense, a move they assert would lead to Roggero's immediate release without the need for a presidential pardon.

Senator Claudio Borghi of the Lega has introduced a bill proposing that "any reaction" during an armed home invasion should be considered non-punishable, regardless of proportionality, perceived danger, or the defensive nature of the act. Borghi stated that if passed, the law's unlimited retroactivity would free Roggero. The Lega has also gathered over 120,000 signatures for a pardon and its leader, Matteo Salvini, has visited Roggero twice.

Fratelli d'Italia (FdI), while aligning with the Lega on supporting Roggero, is pursuing a different strategy. FdI group leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Galeazzo Bignami, visited Roggero in prison and announced a cross-center-right signature campaign for a pardon. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly expressed doubts about the proportionality of Roggero's sentence, and Bignami called the idea of a robbery victim paying damages to the assailants' families "madness."

Forza Italia, however, is distancing itself from the Lega's legislative push, with group leader Enrico Costa urging caution. "We will read Borghi's proposal carefully," Costa said, "but we believe a scrupulous legislator should not make decisions based on the emotional impact of news events." Forza Italia favors a pardon but opposes what they term "hasty moves" by allies, emphasizing the need for balanced and well-considered legislation.

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Sono andato a trovare Roggero, racconta il parlamentare all’uscita dal carcere, e gli ho portato l’abbraccio di tantissimi italiani che, come me, ritengono che debba ricevere la grazia. Non si tratta di dare un giudizio sulla sentenza. Personalmente, però, ritengo una follia che chi si difende da una rapina debba pagare centinaia di migliaia di euro di risarcimento nei confronti di chi quella rapina l’ha compiuta e dei suoi familiari