Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana on
Thursday described as "shameful" the fact that he learned from
the newspapers rather than from the judicial authorities that he
is under investigation together with other prominent public
figures including former premier Giuseppe Conte and then health
minister Roberto Speranza in relation to the government's
response to the Covid-19 outbreak in early 2020.
"It is shameful that someone who was heard at the beginning of
the investigation as a person with knowledge of the facts should
find out from the newspapers that he has been turned into a
suspect," Fontana told Radio Anch'io on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday prosecutors in Bergamo wound up a three-year
inquiry into the alleged failure of Conte and his government to
take adequate measures to contain the spread of the virus by
creating a "red zone" in two areas hit hardest by the outbreak.
In all, around 20 people are implicated in the investigations,
including former Lombardy councillor Giulio Gallera, president
of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy's main centre for
research, control and technical-scientific advice on public
health, Silvio Brusaferro, and president of the Consiglio
Superiore di Sanità, the health ministry's senior advisory body,
Franco Locatelli.
The notices of completion of the investigation were being served
yesterday evening, media reported.
The Bergamo Deputy Prosecutor Cristina Rota, together with
investigating magistrates Silvia Marchina and Paolo Mandurino
under the supervision of Prosecutor Antonio Chiappani, have been
looking at possible charges of causing an epidemic.
Conte, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2021 and is now
president of the populist Five Star Movement, said Wednesday he
was "peaceful before the country and Italian citizens" and that
his government had acted "with the utmost commitment and
responsibility during one of the most difficult moments of our
Republic".
Conte added that he would make himself "fully available" and
"fully cooperate" with the judiciary.
"I have always believed that anyone who had responsibility for
managing the pandemic should be prepared to be held
accountable," said the former health minister Roberto Speranza.
"I am very calm and confident that I have always acted with
discipline and honor in the exclusive interest of the country. I
have total confidence as always in the judiciary," he added.
The files concerning Conte and Speranza will be sent to the
tribunal of ministers for evaluation and authorization to
proceed.
"Starting today, the history of the Bergamo and Lombardy
massacre, of our families, of the responsibilities that led to
our loss, is being rewritten. The history of an Italy that has
forgotten what happened in spring 2020, not because of Covid19,
but because of specific decisions or lack of decisions," said
the #Sereniesempreuniti association of victims' relatives
Wednesday in response to the news of the end of the
investigation.
Bergamo was one of the epicentres of the coronavirus outbreak in
Europe, with thousands of people dying in the first couple of
months.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
