European Court of Human Rights Holds Italy Accountable for Excessive Force in 2014 Death

On Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a ruling condemning Italy for its handling of the case involving Riccardo Magherini, who tragically died in 2014 after being excessively restrained by a group of carabinieri. The court found that the measures implemented by the carabinieri were not only excessive but also highlighted significant shortcomings within Italian institutions regarding the investigation into the agents' responsibilities. The court pointed out that the investigation lacked impartiality and that, at the time of the incident, the training provided to law enforcement officials and the guidelines regarding the safe immobilization of individuals placed face down were severely inadequate. On the fateful night of March 3, 2014, Magherini was stopped by four carabinieri after exhibiting signs of agitation. He was subsequently handcuffed and held face down on the ground for approximately twenty minutes. Tragically, he lost consciousness during this restraint and died shortly after emergency medical staff arrived. An investigation following his death determined that multiple factors contributed to his demise, including cocaine intoxication, physical stress, and the prolonged position in which he was immobilized. In a significant step towards accountability, the ECHR has ordered Italy to compensate Magherini's relatives with €140,000 for non-pecuniary damages, as well as an additional €40,000 to cover costs and legal fees. It is vital to note that the court emphasized its ruling does not affect any possible criminal culpability of those involved in the incident, nor does it contradict the decisions made by Italian courts, where three of the four carabinieri were ultimately acquitted by the Supreme Court. This landmark decision by the ECHR serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and addressing the methodologies employed by law enforcement agencies, ensuring that such tragedies do not recur in the future. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2