Rome
Italy’s highest court has overturned the murder conviction against former prime minister Giulio Andreotti. The 84-year-old, currently a senator, was convicted last year of having ordered a Mafia hit on a tabloid journalist, and was sentenced to 24 years in prison. But the higher court ruled this week that the former Mafia members who testified against Andreotti were not credible. “Some people hoped I would never live to see this day,” said Andreotti. “But I survived.” Andreotti was prime minister seven times in the course of his 60-year political career. He was widely believed to have close ties to the Mafia.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.