Rome prosecutors seek dismissal of Ambassador Attanasio murder case

The Rome Prosecutor's Office has requested the dismissal of the investigation into the 2021 killings of Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, Carabinieri officer Vittorio Iacovacci, and driver Mustapha Milambo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Investigators cited a lack of cooperation from Congolese authorities and the inability to conduct field investigations or obtain testimonies according to Italian law as primary reasons for the request. While Congolese authorities had previously confessed to the ambush involving six citizens, Italian prosecutors stated they could not acquire sufficient evidence to meet Italian legal standards.

Legal responses to the request are divided. Lawyers representing the families of the victims have indicated they will oppose the dismissal, seeking further inquiries into potential omissions or cover-ups. Conversely, Zakia Seddiki, the widow of Ambassador Attanasio, announced her decision not to oppose the dismissal, noting that despite investigative efforts, no evidence was found to confirm the responsibility of those convicted in the Congo or to support alternative investigative theories.