Lavitola’s lawyer: ‘He will make statements by video link at review hearing’

Valter Lavitola will address the review court by video link from Rome’s Rebibbia prison, according to his lawyer Sergio Cola. Lavitola’s statements will be made spontaneously during a hearing concerning the case linked to the alleged attack on journalist Sigfrido Ranucci.

Cola spoke as he entered the court in Rome, where the hearing before the Tribunal of the Review was scheduled to take place. He said the defense had sent judges a 72-page brief on the previous day and that its contents would form the basis of the defense’s arguments.

“

Our client will appear by video link from Rebibbia prison, where he will make spontaneous statements.

The lawyer also said Rome prosecutors would most likely file documents whose contents the defense does not yet know. Cola said the defense team would examine those materials closely during the hearing.

He identified three legal issues at the center of the defense strategy. The lawyers will challenge the effectiveness of the precautionary order, contest the use of the mafia-method aggravating factor and argue that Rome is not the proper territorial jurisdiction. “We will begin with the ineffectiveness of the precautionary order, the aggravating factor of the mafia method and territorial jurisdiction, which we do not believe belongs in Rome,” Cola said.

“

We will begin with the ineffectiveness of the precautionary order, the aggravating factor of the mafia method and territorial jurisdiction, which we do not believe belongs in Rome.