ITALY
Il Messaggero
di Cristiana Mangani
ROMA (!& ottobre) - Un proiettile in busta chiusa e una lettera delirante che inneggia all’amore libero con i bambini. L’hanno ricevuta il pubblico ministero Francesco Scavo e l’associazione “La Caramella buona”, il 12 ottobre scorso. Nel testo senza firma e scritto al computer, si fa riferimento al processo nei confronti di don Ruggero Conti, il prete accusato di pedofilia che ha spaccato in due gli abitanti di Selva Candida, tra chi si brucerebbe una mano per difenderlo e giurare sulla sua onestà, e chi invece sostiene, perché genitore di presunte vittime, che l’ex parroco ha cercato di abusare di alcuni giovanissimi. Nelle assurdità scritte su un foglio bianco compaiono le minacce: «Procuratore Scavo ti condanniamo», ma si fa riferimento anche a Mario Staderini, membro della direzione dei Radicali italiani che si è costituito parte civile nel processo. «Staderini falso radicale», è l’accusa che gli rivolgono mentre parlano di «tanti casi di ingiustizia di persone pure innocenti condannate alla gogna». E ancora di «un processo, quello contro Ruggero Conti che è un enorme complotto di vermi schifosi».
[translation]
Rome, a bullet sent to the prosecutor investigating the priest charged of pedophilia
Accompanying the bullet a letter containing threats to the magistrate and to an association. The letter praises "free love with children"
by Cristiana Mangani
ROMA (October 17) - A bullet in a sealed envelope and a delirious letter praising free love with children. It was received on October 12th by the prosecutor Mr. Francesco Scavo and by the association named "La Caramella buona" (The Good Candy).
The writing was made using a computer. It wasn't signed and it referred to the trial of the Rev. Ruggero Conti, the priest accused of pedophilia, and which provoked a split among the inhabitants of Selva Candida (a neighborhood of Rome), some willing to put their hands in the fire swearing for his honesty and those who, being the parents of the alleged victims, affirming the former parish priest was responsible for having sexually abused very young boys.
In the absurdities written in that letter there are also threats: "Prosecutor Mr. Scavo, we condemn you", but there is also a reference to Mr. Mario Staderini, a member of the Board of Directors of Radicali Italiani (the Italian Radical Party) who had asked the judge to be accepted in the trial as the offended party in substitution of the mayor of Rome. "Staderini isn't a real radical", is the accusation "for he doesn't care about the many cases of innocent persons unjustly accused". The complaint goes on saying "the trial, the one against the Rev. Ruggero Conti, is a big plot organized by filthy worms".
Words used in the letter like "Justice for our friends" and "free love with children" makes it difficult to understand the real intention of those who wrote the letter. The anonymous writers say they are supporters of the Rev. Ruggero, but also and above all that they are pedophiles and that obviously doesn't help him. They add accusations to Mr. Roberto Mirabile, the President of another association who allegedly received in the past days a similar letter" "you are a bastard protected by Mr. Fini" . (Mr. Gianfranco Fini is the President of the Italian Parliament). Be careful because we decreed your death penalty and often we were near to its implementation".
In light of these new developments, the magistrates opened a new investigation, led by Prosecutor Mr. Giancarlo Amato who will also inform the Prosecutor's Office in Perugia (the city capital of the Umbria region) about threats sent to a magistrate. It won't be easy to find out who sent the letters. The one addressed to the association "La Caramella Buona" (The Good Candy) reached the recipient regularly, while the one sent to the Prosecutor was stopped at the local post office for the employees were able to notice its anomalous content. In fact it contained the bullet and a letter.
The self described supporters of the priest wrote they had sent "previous warnings" and underlined the fact. "They can't accept this situation any more for it forces us to hide in the dark and stifle our feelings". That happens while the trial of the parish priest proceeds with the slow steps of the justice. A new hearing will take place on October 27th and the witnesses on behalf of the offended parties are scheduled to speak. It will be a very important hearing and the priests' supporters will be present too.
In that neighborhood people continue to be split in their opinion about the trial of the Rev. Ruggero Conti. Many are the faithful, however, who are on his side. "He has only done good things for the parish, we owe him whatever you can see". Some other people express their perplexities about the times and the dynamic of the facts. "Why has this scandal exploded after so long a time? Because it takes time for a child to be aware of what has happened to him" answer those who have doubts about the innocence of the priest.
«It's a plot - some parishioners say - he doesn't deserve it at all. He was open, sociable, he helped everybody. My mother was sick, he always came home for a visit. Those he helped most are now his accusers".
A local business man say "they trapped him, he must have been of obstacle to somebody, for he knew many important people and all doors opened in front of him".