Acid attacker 'has paternal rights' says paternity institute

(ANSA) - Rome, August 19 - A man sentenced to 14 years for throwing acid at an ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend still has rights as a father of a baby born to the couple and being allowed to act as a parent could encourage redemption, Italy's Institute for paternity studies said Wednesday.
    "In this affair the paternal aspect is totally neglected," said the Isp, "but the lad has a father, who has asked for recognition as such".
    The institute weighed into discussion after Alexander Boettcher was quoted as saying in a formal request deposited with a Milan court by his defense lawyer that he wanted to see his son.
    Earlier his girlfriend Martina Levato had an "emotional embrace" with her newborn son in the Mangiagalli clinic after a juvenile court allowed them to meet for a limited time every day.
    Levato's baby with co-assailant Boettcher was taken away from her after it was born at the weekend.
    "The recognition of a child is a right guaranteed by the Constitution (article 30), that can be excluded only in the name of the interests of the minor and in precise cases," the institute added.
    "Many scholars recommend keeping parental duties separate from social behaviour. They hold that one can be a criminal and still be good parents." "In the case of mothers who are prostitutes, not a crime but certainly reproachable, for example, court sentences have recognised the maternal suitability to bring up their children".
    "The 'transition to parenthood' usually has a profound impact on new parents. It is difficult to predict if it could have a positive outcome in a couple responsible for a grave attack on somebody. And it is difficult for an expert examination to be certain in this regard".
    Levato, formerly a student at Milan's private Bocconi University, was convicted in June along with co-defendant Boettcher, a 30-year-old real-estate broker, of throwing acid at Pietro Barbini, 22, on Dec. 28.