In Italy, the trial of one of the most sensational murder cases of recent years has begun. A 22-year-old man accused of kidnapping and murdering his ex-girlfriend is to stand trial in a Venice court. The case has sparked a wave of protests in Italy.
Biomedical engineering student Filippo T. was arrested on November 23 after a week-long escape through Austria on a highway near Leipzig, after he had to stop on the hard shoulder because of an empty tank.
Ex-girlfriend ambushed
CCTV footage shows the man attacking Giulia C., the same age, in the parking lot of an industrial estate on November 12 and then fleeing with her in his car. The 22-year-old’s body was later found in a ravine in a mountainous area in the Friulian province of Pordenone with numerous stab wounds to the head and neck. When Filippo T. fled from Italy to Germany, he was also in Lienz, East Tyrol.
Meanwhile, it is being investigated whether the student had planned the murder weeks in advance. This is evident from the purchase of adhesive tape with which the 22-year-old is said to have sealed his ex-girlfriend’s mouth. It is also not yet clear whether the suspect took two confiscated knives from home.
Suspect refuses to appear in court
The suspect was not present in person at the start of the trial on Monday. It is unclear whether he will appear in court at all. The 22-year-old had a statement read out through his lawyer. “I will only be present at the trial if necessary. And I hope it will be over soon.”
Following the murder, the Italian parliament passed a bill that strengthens the protection of vulnerable women and survivors of gender-based violence. The package of measures includes increased surveillance of men who commit domestic violence and increased staffing levels in relevant facilities.
Source: Krone
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