Italian fencing in shock, seventeen-year-old abused during a training camp in Chianciano: two athletes under investigation, a third is a minor

Rome – Abused by three athletes of the Federscherma in a retreat in Chianciano Terme. Her victim is a 17-year-old fencing champion from the Uzbekistan team. The gang rape apparently occurred between August 4 and 5 during a pre-summer retreat in locality in the province of Siena in which multiple teams from various Federations participated. The Siena Prosecutor's Office is investigating the abuse and has registered two of the three athletes involved. A third is a minor. The news is anticipated by Messenger.

The lawyer: “Inertia on the part of the Prosecutor's Office”

“There is inertia on the part of the Prosecutor's Office, which did not even activate the red code, and of the Federscherma which did not take any measures against the athletes under investigation”. This is what he reports Luciano Guidarelli, the lawyer of the young athlete of the Uzbekistan Fencing Federation victim of violence during a retreat in August in Chianciano. “When the girl realized what she had suffered, she notified her roommate and her mother, who immediately arrived in Italy – explains the lawyer – Federscherma was immediately notified but we have never had evidence of measures against the athletes involved nor of solidarity towards the victim”. Furthermore, adds Guidarelli, “the fact that the suspects were not sanctioned or suspended from their competitive activity made it possible that the young met them again during races and other training camps resulting in trauma.”

The Federation: “We will be a civil party”

“In reference to the news reported today by the newspaper 'Il Messaggero' and reported by other press organs, the Italian Fencing Federation considers it dutiful and necessary to specify the following. The FIS has promptly, and on several occasions, had direct discussions with the investigating judiciary, in order to ascertain the situation and the developments of the investigative activity, in compliance with the confidentiality of the investigation which characterizes the procedural phase still in progress. On the basis of this information and reassurances acquired, the Federation – differently from what was reported – responded in detail to the complainant's lawyer, also filing the nomination of the Federation for the establishment of a civil party in any proceedings, should it be ordered by ordinary justice”. Thus in a note from the Italian Fencing Federation.

The gang rape apparently took place between 4 and 5 August last during a pre-summer retreat in the town in the province of Siena in which several teams from various Federations participated. The Siena Prosecutor's Office is investigating the case. “The reconstruction provided, in the parts that call into question the actions of the FIS, does not respond in any way to the attention paid to the matter by the Federation, which has instead immediately activated in contacts with the ordinary and sports judiciary, placing maximum trust in the work of the authorities”, continues the note, underlining that “the Italian Fencing Federation, which has made the healthy and authentic values ​​of sport the flag of its activity no less than the Olympic and Paralympic medals, and which through this work newspaper has established itself as a recognized example of social commitment, will evaluate all the necessary actions to protect its image and defend what it says every day in cinemas throughout Italy”.

President Azzi: “I don't know the girl”

“If it were ascertained it would be something extremely serious, in which case as a Federation we would be the offended party and we are ready to turn ourselves in in the event of a trial. What if there was a conviction? It would be very serious.” So a LaPresse the president of Fedescherma Paolo Azzi, commenting on the news of the alleged gang rape which occurred between 4 and 5 August. “I don't know the girl. In this matter there was also an obligation to keep the investigations covered by secrecy and also an intent to leave the situation quiet and not publicize it. These are painful situations, for the girl and the family. We kept ourselves as discreet as possible, while taking all the necessary steps”, explains the president of the FIS, specifying that “the red code also allows quick measurementsbut months have passed and we have no news, I am not able to express an opinion.” “There was a complaint for which the prosecutor's office as normal as it is, and we have taken action at all levels, we have also informed the federal prosecutor's office and requested information from the public prosecutor's office, there are no outcomes or precautionary measures of any kind up to this moment”, adds Azzi.