Italy - Two policemen Alessio di Bernardo and Raffaele d'Alessandro were sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing Stefano Cucchi in 2009.

Bernardo and d'Alessandro are members of the special forces carabinieri, on November 14 were convicted of manslaughter against inmate Cucchi, who was arrested in Rome park on October 15, 2009, after discovering possession of 20 g hashish, or marijuana resin and three packets of cocaine.

A week later, Cucchi died at the Sandro Pertini hospital in Rome, where he was sent to treat injuries, with two broken vertebrae and jaw bones. This prisoner weighed 37 kg at the time of death, bruised eyes, emaciated appearance made the Italian public outrage.

In October 2014, policemen Bernardo and d’Alessandro were acquitted for lack of evidence and the case fell to a standstill. The Supreme Court of Justice in Rome turned the case back in December 2015 and the trial began.

The turning point in the case came in October last year, when Francesco Tedesco, a policeman also charged with relating to the death of inmate Cucchi, appeared to be cooperating with the investigating agency.

Tedesco said on November 14 in court that his colleagues had kicked and punched Cucchi in the face, causing him to die. The police also alleged that he was threatened, demanding to remain silent and hide the truth. Tedesco was acquitted by the court.

"I'm sorry to the Cucchi family," Tedesco said in court. "For the past few years I have been unable to try any more. It is not easy to report on my colleagues."