Meloni and the Mario Roggero case: "You attack me, I defend myself, and I should compensate you?"

The Supreme Court of Italy has confirmed the life sentence of Mario Roggero, a jeweler from Grinzane Cavour, Cuneo, for killing two armed robbers and injuring a third during an April 2021 attack on his store. The court ruled that Roggero’s actions did not qualify as legitimate self-defense, as the threat had ceased and the perpetrators were already fleeing. The verdict, which was finalized after an appeal process, has sparked intense public debate, with some calling for clemency and others defending the judicial decision as just. Roggero, 72, shot the robbers after they left his shop following a violent robbery. The attackers had tied up his family members and threatened them before stealing cash. According to surveillance footage reviewed by the courts, Roggero opened fire while the assailants were attempting to escape, leading to their deaths. The judges concluded that his response was not justified under the law, as the danger to himself and his loved ones had ended. The court upheld the initial conviction of 14 years and nine months, rejecting claims that the act was a form of private justice. In response to the ruling, the president of the Italian Bar Association, Francesco Petrelli, has expressed concern over the growing calls for clemency. He emphasized that mercy petitions should not serve as another stage of judgment or a political tool to overturn final rulings. “A petition for clemency, though legitimate, cannot constitute an additional level of adjudication nor a means to politically correct a final decision,” he stated. Petrelli warned against allowing public sentiment to challenge judicial authority, stressing that while criticism of legal decisions is essential to democracy, it must not undermine the rule of law. Petrelli also criticized the notion that emotional distress caused by a crime could justify acts of vengeance. “It is certainly understandable, on a human and psychological level, that someone who suffers a violent theft might find themselves deeply affected,” he acknowledged. However, he argued that such feelings should not be mistaken for justification for private retaliation. “Recognizing the right to revenge would contradict the fundamental principles of our legal system.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly endorsed the court's decision, framing it as a defense of justice and order. In a social media post, she wrote: “If you attack me, I defend myself. And should I have to compensate you? That is not fair.” She added that “those who break the law cannot expect compensation from those who protect themselves.” Her comments align with provisions introduced in the recent Security Decree, which limits the ability of victims of crimes to claim damages while the offense is being committed. Although this provision does not apply retroactively, it aims to prevent similar situations in the future. The case has also drawn attention from legal scholars and civil society groups. Professor Alfonso Celotto, a constitutional law expert at Rome Tre University, explained that the power to grant clemency lies solely with the President of the Republic, as outlined in Article 87 of the Italian Constitution. While the Ministry of Justice conducts an investigative review, the final decision rests with the head of state. Celotto noted that clemency is typically granted for humanitarian reasons, often after a period of incarceration has begun. In Roggero’s case, however, the sentence has only recently become final, and he entered prison shortly after the ruling. The victim families have welcomed the outcome, stating that justice has been served. The Supreme Court has also approved provisional compensation payments totaling 780,000 euros to the relatives of the deceased robbers, with an additional 10,000 euros awarded to the surviving attacker who was injured in the shooting. These amounts will be distributed among the families of the victims, according to the court’s directive. As the debate continues, the issue of clemency remains unresolved. A request for mercy has been formally submitted by Roggero’s wife, Mariangela Sandrone, and the decision will rest with the President of the Republic. Meanwhile, public discourse reflects deep divisions between those who see the ruling as a necessary step toward justice and those who believe it represents an overly harsh punishment for a tragic situation.