Italian investigation into fraudulent medical certificates

The Ravenna Public Prosecutor's Office has expanded an investigation into a suspected coordinated network of medical professionals accused of issuing false health certificates. These documents were allegedly used to prevent irregular migrants from being transferred to or detained in Repatriation Centers (CPR).

Following an initial phase involving eight doctors from the Infectious Diseases unit at Ravenna Hospital, authorities have conducted searches across multiple Italian cities, including Rome, Bari, Bologna, Milan, Rimini, Florence, and others. The investigation targets over twenty professionals to gather electronic and documentary evidence regarding the suspected organized system.

Prosecutors are examining evidence, including chat logs, which suggest a “mapping” of certificates and the sharing of templates used to facilitate non-suitability reports between 2024 and 2026. One individual, 42-year-old doctor Nicola Cocco, has been placed under investigation for suspected criminal association.

As the investigation progresses, defense arguments have emerged. Nicola Cocco and other specialists contend that the certificates are based on legitimate scientific concerns regarding health risks within CPR facilities, citing international literature and WHO standards.

The probe has drawn reactions from various sectors. The civil rights group Antigone criticized the investigation, arguing that such scrutiny could “compromise medical independence” and ignore the conditions within the centers. Additionally, PD secretary Emiliano Fossi expressed solidarity with the medics, asserting that certifying health conditions is a “professional duty rather than a crime.”