He was sent to trial Daniele Franciactor and former artistic director of the «Etoile» theater center in Reggio Emily, accused of sexual assault against nine former studentsincluding three minors, between 17 and 22 years old who took part in civil action, while two others decided not to do so. The news was reported by the local Reggio Emilia press, which explains how the trial, with an ordinary rite in front of the college, will begin next June 12th.
Daniele Franci and the accusations against the artistic director of the students
Franci, 46 years old, now on the loose, was arrested in July 2022 by the police. According to the accusations of the Deputy Prosecutor, Valentina Salvi, in charge of the investigation, exploited his charisma as a teacher influential in attracting fragile boys, flattering them, telling them what they were “The chosen ones”.
The stories and harassment that would happen in one room
He called them together room where he stayed and here the abuses would have taken place. From the reconstructions, the details of some episodes also emerged regarding the extreme practices they would have been performed by the teacherwith strangulation to the point of risking the victims fainting.
The defense: «Machination of the students evident in the chats»
The accused, defended by the lawyer Giulio Garuti, spoke in court about a “machination” hatched by young students as a chat between the guys who would have consulted each other would demonstrate and “support” each other. He also says that in his opinion it was not sexual violence or even psychological induction, thus asking for his acquittal. While for the prosecution, the wiretaps would prove the absence of a conspiracy and the genuineness of the students. In the end the Gup, Luca Ramponi ordered the indictment.
Tags: Daniele Franci trial artistic director Reggio Emilia accused sexual violence students Conspiracy
