Justice Minister Andrea Orlando
said Friday that two American paratroopers who allegedly raped
and battered a six-month pregnant Romanian woman will be tried
in Italy and not the United States.
"We will not give up our jurisdiction," the minister
tweeted.
The two American soldiers were identified as Gray Gerelle
Lamarcus, 22, and Edil McCough, 21.
They were held for questioning Thursday in the assault that
occurred about 10 days ago.
Lamarcus is also accused of sexually assaulting a minor
from Vicenza province.
He is currently being treated at a local hospital after
attempting suicide, police say.
The two paratroopers allegedly raped and savagely beat the
Romanian woman, who worked as a prostitute and who was six
months pregnant.
Before fleeing the two allegedly stole from the woman's
handbag.
Vicenza's mayor, Achille Variati, had called on
Orlando to reject any request from the United States to allow
the two American soldiers to be tried on their home turf.
"There are two big American military bases near Vicenza,
and many Americans live here," the mayor said Friday.
"When you live together, everyone must abide by the same
rules. Now it is important that Italian justice be swift".
American soldiers, their families, and some airmen and
sailors are stationed at the US Army Garrison in Vicenza, which
also serves as headquarters for America's Southern European Task
Force (SETAF) and its 173rd Airborne Brigade.
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