Milan police officer investigated over shooting of drug pusher

The officer, 42-year-old Carmelo Cinturrino, was taken into custody on Monday over the death of Abderrahim Mansouri, a Moroccan national, who was shot on 26 January in the Rogoredo district of Milan.

Cinturrino had initially stated that he fired in self-defence after Mansouri allegedly pulled a pistol on him during a drugs check. The weapon later turned out to be a blank-firing gun.

However, prosecutors now suspect that the blank-firing gun may have been placed at the scene after Mansouri had already been shot, in order to support the officer’s account. At a press conference on Monday, prosecutor Giovanni Tarzia said forensic analysis found Cinturrino’s DNA on the weapon, but none belonging to Mansouri.

Investigators have also indicated that the Milan police officer was personally familiar with the victim and had recently targeted him in previous checks. According to the detention order request, there is a risk that Cinturrino could reoffend, tamper with evidence or attempt to flee.

Rogoredo known for drug dealing areas

Rogoredo, in the south-eastern outskirts of Milan, has long been known as one of the city’s main open-air drug dealing areas, particularly around the railway station and adjacent parkland. The area has been the focus of repeated law enforcement operations in recent years.

The case has widened beyond the alleged actions of a single officer. Four other police officers are under investigation on suspicion of aiding and abetting and for allegedly failing to provide assistance to Mansouri after he was shot.