ROME, Sept 13 (Askume) – An Italian appeals court on Friday overturned the 2021 convictions of 37 people and three companies blamed for deadly pollution at the former Ilva steel plant and ordered a retrial, the ANSA news agency reported.
The former Ilva plant, once Europe’s biggest steel producer, has been embroiled in legal proceedings for more than a decade over claims its toxic emissions contributed to a rise in cancer cases in the city of Taranto.
Friday’s ruling is a major setback for prosecutors and accusers in the case, as launching a prima facie case increased the likelihood that at least some charges could be dropped because of time limits.
The appeals court accepted the defence’s argument that the trial needed to be moved to another city because the judge and jury in Taranto could not be impartial as they too had been “harmed” by the alleged environmental disaster, ANSA said.
Those convicted three years ago include former Ilva bosses brothers Fabio and Nicola Riva, who were sentenced to 22 and 20 years in prison respectively, and the former head of the Puglia region Nichi Vendola, who was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
The fate of ACC d’Italia (ADI), now known as Ilva, has caused headaches for the Italian government, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.An industrial partner is being sought to revive the group .
Six international and domestic companies, including India’s Vulcan Green Steel and Ukraine’s MetInvest, have expressed preliminary interest in taking over the steel plant, which is currently under a government-controlled special administration.
