Rigopiano tragedy returns to Supreme Court via Perugia prosecutor appeal

The legal proceedings regarding the 2017 Rigopiano hotel avalanche, which claimed 29 lives, have returned to the Italian Court of Cassation. Perugia's Prosecutor General, Sergio Sottani, has filed an appeal contesting several aspects of the previous appellate court ruling.

The appeal focuses on three primary issues: the acquittal of former Farindola mayor Ilario Lacchetta and municipal technician Enrico Colangeli, and the calculation of the statute of limitations. Sottani argues that the mayor maintained independent duties to ensure public safety even in the absence of a formal avalanche hazard map. He also contends that the statute of limitations should be doubled for multiple manslaughter, rather than being limited only to culpable disaster.

Previously, the appellate court issued three convictions for culpable disaster against regional officials, while acquitting the mayor and the technician. The Supreme Court's upcoming decision will determine whether to uphold these acquittals or re-evaluate the institutional responsibilities of the local authorities.