A top Turin psychiatrist was cleared
on appeal Tuesday after getting four years in jail in November
2021 in a case of alleged abuse in fostering cases in the
northern town of Bibbiano which led to sharp criticism for the
centre-left Democratic Party (PD) that runs the town.
Claudio Foti, who runs the Hansel&Gretel clinic in Turin, was
acquitted of abuse of office and grievous bodily harm on charges
of causing psychological problems in a young female patient in
the case, dubbed 'Angels and Demons' by prosecutors.
Foti was originally found, in the first-instance trial, to have
falsely induced the young girl to think she had been abused by
her father, using a 'memory machine' on her that allegedly
caused depression and anxiety.
Before the verdict, Foti said "I am confident that this sentence
will be revised on appeal, I think it is unjust. I think I
behaved correctly in science and conscience. I would do
everything I did all over again".
Sfter the verdict, he said "Truth and justice have won, after
four years of trial by the media. I cried, the prosecution's
theorem collapsed"
His lawyer, Luca Bauccio, said "Foti has been redeemed after
four years of humiliation and persecution as a man and
psychotherapist".
Bibbiano Mayor Andrea Carletti was indicted on charges of abuse
of office but cleared of making false statements.
PD official Carletti had been under house arrest in relation to
the probe into alleged malpractice by social workers in
fostering cases in the town in Emilia-Romagna.
Social workers were alleged to have coached and coerced kids
into saying their parents were abusing them so that they could
be entrusted to 'friendly' families for a profit, according to
investigators.
The case has frequently hit the headlines in recent years and
sparked political rows, with rightwing parties like
the League and Premier Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy
slamming the PD as "the party of Bibbiano"..
League leader Matteo Salvini paid several high-profile visits to
Bibbiano saying "Hands off our children!".
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