Italian court drops COVID-19 charges against former premier, health minister

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) – A court in Italy has dropped charges against the country's former prime minister and health minister for negligence during the COVID-19 pandemic, local media reported.

Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and former Health Minister Roberto Speranza were accused of being too late in taking preventive actions against the pandemic in Seriana Valley region in Lombardy during the period with the most cases, according to ANSA.

The ministerial court in Brescia dropped the charges Wednesday of manslaughter and failing to manage the initial stages of the pandemic.

Conte and Speranza acted according to the scientific data available at that time and expert opinion, the court added.

Speaking to reporters, the former prime minister welcomed the verdict.

Also welcoming the verdict, the former health minister said he did everything he could to save lives at the time.

Families of the COVID-19 victims who filed the complaint expressed their anger and disappointment at the verdict.

- COVID-19 decisions

During the initial stages of the pandemic, Prime Minister Conte declared the region of Lombardy and 14 cities in northern Italy red-flagged to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Residents in those northern regions got afraid of a possible permanent lockdown and rushed to the southern parts of the country that night.

Conte announced a total lockdown in Italy and restricted travel on March 9.

COVID-19 claimed more than 27,000 lives in February, March and April 2020, according to Health Ministry figures.

Lombardy was considered the epicenter of the pandemic with the highest number of victims.

* Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara​​​​​​​