Filippo Turetta, 22, is accused of brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend Giulia Cecchettin, a 22-year-old biomedical engineering student.
The murder took place last November when Cecchettin disappeared after meeting Turetta at a shopping centre. Her body was found a week later in a ravine, with more than 70 stab wounds to the head and neck. Turetta was arrested in Germany and later confessed to the crime.
The case caused national outrage, exposing a deep-seated problem in Italian society. Statistics show that a woman is killed every three days in Italy, mostly by current or former partners.
The victim’s sister, Elena Cecchettin, publicly condemned the “patriarchy” and “rape culture” in Italian society. Giulia’s father called for his daughter’s death to be a “turning point to end the terrible scourge of violence against women”.
The trial is expected to be a speedy one, with Turetta waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. He faces charges of aggravated voluntary manslaughter and kidnapping, which carries a life sentence.
Following this case, the Italian parliament passed new laws to protect women. However, activists argue that a deep cultural change is needed, starting with education in schools.
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(source: AFP)
Source: jurnalul.ro
