Overview
- The Court of Appeal of Rome, which ruled Wednesday, May 20, upheld an eight-month prison sentence and a one-year ban from public office for Andrea Delmastro, with both penalties suspended.
- Appellate judges said Delmastro knew the DAP documents and intercepted conversations about anarchist Alfredo Cospito were restricted and that he passed their contents to deputy Giovanni Donzelli outside official duties.
- Prosecutors at multiple stages had argued for acquittal, saying there was no proven intent to commit a crime, a position the judges explicitly rejected in their oral decision.
- Delmastro announced he will appeal to the Court of Cassation and the court’s written motivations for the appellate ruling are expected within the next roughly 90 days.
- The case highlights tensions over access to 41‑bis prison intelligence, raises political risks for Fratelli d'Italia, and has prompted scrutiny of extra‑judicial ties between the defendant and some trial witnesses.