The Court of Appeal of Catanzaro today confirmed the first degree sentences issued by the Court of Crotone in the context ofOperation Ikarosan investigation that revealed a ring of fake residence permits used to encourage the illegal entry of non-EU citizens into Italy.
The operation, carried out by the Crotone Flying Squad on 17 February 2021, brought to light two distinct criminal organizations that operated with similar methods to obtain and distribute illegal residence permits. These groups exploited false documents and signatures to grant illegal access to Italy for numerous non-EU citizens.
The Court of Appeal confirmed the‘acquittal of police officer Rocco Meo, serving at the immigration office of the Pythagorean Police Headquarters. The Court of Appeal, in fact, rejected the public prosecutor’s appeal against the decision of the Court of Crotone which in July 2022 had acquitted the police officer for not having committed the crime.
The Court of Appeal then confirmed most of the sentences imposed at first instance, however making some significant reductions:
- Salvatore Andrea Falcone, lawyer, saw his sentence reduced from 10 years and 2 months to 5 years and 6 months, thanks to the acquittal on 61 charges out of the original 94.
- Gabriella Panucci, lawyer, had her sentence reduced by two months, passing to 4 years, 6 months and 15 days, with acquittal on two counts.
- Rachida Lebkhachi, cultural mediator, saw her sentence redetermined to 4 years, reduced from the initial 6 years.
- Edris Mahmouzadeh, cultural mediator, had his sentence redetermined to 4 years, compared to the initial 4 years and 15 days.
The other sentences handed down at first instance were confirmed without modification:
- Sergio Trolio, lawyer, sentenced to 4 years and 3 months.
- Irene Trocino, lawyer, sentenced to 5 years and 4 months.
- Mohammed Kasro, Iranian, sentenced to 4 years and 8 months.
- Intzar Ahmed, sentenced to 1 year and 6 months.
- Alfonso Bennardis, local police officer, sentenced to 9 months.
