Outrage in Italy After Man Accused of Raping 13-Year-Old Is Released
2nd September 2026
Italy’s political row over judges’ lenient handling of migrant criminals has intensified after a 42-year-old Bangladeshi shop assistant accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in the outskirts of Turin was released from prison after just two nights.
The crime occurred on Saturday, August 29th in Madonna di Campagna, a multi-ethnic district in the northern Italian city.
According to the girl’s account, she entered a minimarket to buy three fruit drinks for her younger siblings. She said the shop assistant gave her a drink, asked whether she had a boyfriend and how old she was, before sexually assaulting her.
Police arrested the man shortly afterwards, with surveillance footage from the shop forming part of the evidence. Prosecutors requested that he remain in custody. However, a judge ordered his release, only requiring him to report to the police.
The judge cited the suspect’s lack of previous convictions, his co-operation with investigators, and his expression of remorse.
The decision has provoked heavy criticism, particularly because authorities allege that the same man had sexually assaulted another woman around 40 minutes before the incident involving the girl.