An Italian judge has downgraded sexual assault charges against a 29-year-old Bangladeshi migrant who impregnated a 10-year-old girl at a migrant reception center, sparking widespread outrage. The abuse occurred during the summer of 2024 at Hotel Il Cacciatore in Collio, Lombardy, Italy.
The child, originally from sub-Saharan Africa, was taken to hospital after her mother noticed troubling changes in her behavior and complained of abdominal pain. Medical tests revealed the girl was pregnant, and she later underwent an abortion. Prosecutors initially charged the perpetrator with aggravated sexual assault against a minor, but the judge reclassified the offense as sexual acts with a child—a lesser charge under Italian law—citing alleged relationship status between the migrant and the victim. The decision was further reduced by a fast-track trial procedure that automatically lowered the penalty by one-third, resulting in a five-year prison sentence.
During proceedings, the migrant’s lawyers argued there was no violence, a position that contributed to the court’s downgrade of charges. The court’s formal reasoning is expected to be filed within 90 days.
The ruling has drawn sharp criticism from Italian politicians and citizens who question the proportionality of justice in cases involving minors. League (Lega) lawmaker Simona Bordonali stated, “The mere five-year sentence handed down to a person responsible for the atrocious and unspeakable violence against a child leaves me stunned.” She called for changes to sentencing laws to ensure punishments reflect the gravity of crimes against minors. League leader Matteo Salvini condemned the decision as “appalling” and “unacceptable.”
The case has reignited Italy’s broader debate over migration, crime, and public safety. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has argued that failures in border enforcement can have serious social consequences, though her government has reported sharp declines in illegal arrivals following an initial increase early in her term.
