Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
An Olympic weightlifting medallist and police officer has been sentenced to five years and four months after being convicted of gang raping a Finnish tourist during a holiday in Italy.
Picture shows Antonino Pizzolato, weightlifting bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. He was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for the rape of a Finnish tourist in Trapani, Italy. Note: Picture is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
The verdict was issued by a court in the city of Trapani, Sicily, Italy, on 6th July, over the incident that took place at a holiday residence in the city, on 22nd July 2022.
Antonino Pizzolato, 30, who won bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games in weightlifting and is an active-duty State Police officer, was convicted alongside three other men who were given the same sentence.
Picture shows Antonino Pizzolato, weightlifting bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. He was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for the rape of a Finnish tourist in Trapani, Italy. Note: Picture is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
The other defendants were identified as Davide Lupo, 31, Claudio Tutino, 35, and Stefano Mongiovì, 30.
The case centred on a complaint made by a Finnish tourist who was 27 at the time and was visiting Sicily with two friends.
Picture shows Antonino Pizzolato, weightlifting bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. He was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for the rape of a Finnish tourist in Trapani, Italy. Note: Picture is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
According to the court proceedings, the group met Pizzolato and the other defendants during a night out in Trapani before the victim continued to a holiday residence where some of the men were staying.
Prosecutors said the alleged sexual assault took place after the tourist became aware that Lupo had recorded a video of her kissing another person from the group and she asked for it to be deleted.
The abuse reportedly ended only when the tearful victim asked to be taken back to the hotel.
Picture shows Antonino Pizzolato, weightlifting bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. He was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for the rape of a Finnish tourist in Trapani, Italy. Note: Picture is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
The woman later reported the incident to police, and she joined the case as a civil claimant through her legal representatives.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that there was no evidence of consent, while the defence had claimed the interactions were consensual.
The court also ordered the defendants to be permanently banned from public office and from roles involving the protection or administration of vulnerable people.
Picture shows Antonino Pizzolato, weightlifting bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. He was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months for the rape of a Finnish tourist in Trapani, Italy. Note: Picture is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
If the sentence becomes final after any appeals, he could face dismissal from the police in addition to serving his prison term.
His lawyers have announced plans to appeal the first-instance ruling.
Damages for the victim will be decided separately in civil proceedings.
Pizzolato, who competes for Italy’s Fiamme Oro police sports team, had previously received a 10-month suspension from the national federation in 2018 over allegations of intimidation and bullying involving younger athletes, including some minors.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
