‘An ordeal ends’ | Sky TG24
The court of appeal acquitted the businessman and three other people because the “fact is not a crime”. Briatore was on trial for the Force Blue yacht affair
Six decisions and a rebound between the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to arrive at a definitive sentence. The Genoa Court of Appeal today acquitted Flavio Briatore and three other people “because the fact is not a crime” in the trial for the Force Blue yacht affair.
The judicial affair
The Cassation had overturned the sentence of the Court of Appeal which sentenced Briatore to 18 months and had ordered a new trial. The entrepreneur and three other people (also acquitted) were in a process for a tax evasion of over 3 million on VAT and for the charter business. The maxi yacht was seized in 2010, in La Spezia waters while the manager was on board with Elisabetta Gregoraci and her son. The judges have revoked the confiscation of the boat and of the 3 million and 600 thousand euros. The sentence thus becomes final. As regards the confiscation, however, the State Attorney’s Office could challenge the decision.
The Force Blue yacht
deepening
Briatore, yacht confiscation canceled: maxi compensation hypothesis
The luxury boat had been auctioned for seven million euros, compared to an estimated real value of 20, and was awarded by Bernie Ecclestone. The court of appeal, on the recommendation of the judicial custodian, had decided on the sale of the Force Blue, the 78th largest superyacht in the world, due to the risk of degradation.
Briatore’s reaction
deepening
Elisabetta Gregoraci and Flavio Briatore together in Capri. PHOTO
“In May 2010 the Guardia di Finanza seized my boat and the news came out in the media around the world that I was a tax evader. Today, after 12 years and 6 trials, my innocence has been confirmed. A real ordeal that has taken place. Fortunately, “this is the comment made by Briatore who thanked all his lawyers.”
The other reactions
And one of his lawyers, the lawyer Fabio Lattanzi was among the first to comment on the sentence: “I will be able to comment on Briatore’s acquittal by saying that justice triumphs. But I wonder if a process that lasts 12 years is justice. A process that forces an innocent person to live with a nightmare. No, it’s not justice. “
Another comment was that of the senator of the Brothers of Italy Daniela Santanchè: “Flavio’s acquittal fills me with joy. What remains shameful is how they treated Briatore for a decade, portrayed as the greatest dodger and swindler, with insults and mockery. Then luckily time is a gentleman and there are still judges who have a sense of justice “.