Romanian Tourist Imprisoned in Italy Due to Mistaken Identity
A Romanian tourist, identified as Ovidiu A., endured nearly a month in an Italian prison after being wrongly identified as a wanted criminal. The incident occurred on the first day of his holiday in Italy, according to his lawyer.
The Arrest and Initial Ordeal
Ovidiu A., originally from Iasi, Romania, had traveled to Caorle, near Venice, to spend time with his family. Upon arrival, the hotel registration triggered an alert because he shared a name with a Romanian criminal sought for aggravated theft. This led to his arrest by the carabinieri during his first breakfast.
"The nightmare is over," Ovidiu A. reportedly said upon his release from Pordenone prison in northern Italy on Thursday, as quoted by the local newspaper Corriere del Veneto. His lawyer, Stefano De Rosa, told AFP that Ovidiu A. was finally able to reunite with his family, who had been waiting for him since his arrest on August 24th.
Legal Challenges and Systemic Issues
Stefano De Rosa, Ovidiu A.'s lawyer, faced difficulties in gathering evidence to prove the mistaken identity. The initial trial for aggravated theft dated back to 2014, with the final sentencing in 2020. He highlighted a significant issue within the Italian justice system: "The computer systems of the police, prison, court and carabinieri do not communicate with each other. I had to request documentation from each office," he explained.
Resolution and Plans for the Future
Despite the ordeal, Ovidiu A. and his family intend to continue their holiday in Italy for a few more days before returning to Romania, according to Corriere del Veneto. He "has decided to enjoy at least a few days at the beach, which had been his goal," the newspaper reported.
"The damage was enormous, but he faced it with great dignity and calm," his lawyer told Corriere del Veneto.
