Former councillor jailed for 12 years over murder of Moroccan

Adriatici, a lawyer and at the time the security councillor for the town of Voghera in the province of Pavia, had originally been charged with excessive self-defence. Prosecutors, however, pursued a murder conviction, arguing that the use of lethal force was not justified by the circumstances.

The shooting took place on the evening of 20 July 2021. According to court proceedings, 38-year-old El Boussettaoui was allegedly behaving in a disorderly manner outside a pub and bothering customers. Adriatici intervened and an altercation followed. The former councillor claimed he was punched and fell to the ground, at which point his firearm discharged, fatally wounding El Boussettaoui.

Adriatici maintained that he acted in self-defence. His party, the Lega, defended him at the time, stating that he had reacted to an assault. The League, known for its hardline stance on immigration and advocacy of broader self-defence rights, has in recent years supported legislative changes to expand the legal scope for citizens to protect themselves.

Centre-left parties and civil rights groups criticised the murder of the Moroccan, describing it as an example of “vigilante justice”. They also warned against what they said was a climate that risked legitimising the use of firearms in public disputes.

Conditions for legitimate self-defence not met

During the trial, the court examined forensic evidence, witness testimony and the dynamics of the scuffle. Judges ultimately ruled that the conditions for legitimate self-defence were not met. They convicted Adriatici of murder, sentencing him to 12 years’ imprisonment.

The case fuelled ongoing debate in Italy over self-defence laws, public security and the carrying of weapons. Reforms approved in 2019 broadened protections for those who use force in defence of their home or business. However, the boundaries of lawful self-defence in public spaces remain tightly scrutinised by the courts.