The Court of Treviso, in Veneto, acquitted this Wednesday, July 10, six heads of administrative practices agencies and two agents of the Local Police. They were accused of irregularly facilitating the recognition of Italian citizenship for around 140 Brazilians between 2018 and 2022.
The decision guarantees the maintenance of the Italian citizenship – within the law.
The investigation, conducted by Guardia di Finanza of Treviso, pointed to an alleged scheme to circumvent rules required for confirming applicants' residency. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the intermediaries, owners of agencies such as Rotobrasil, Dts Service, Nova Cidadania, and Bona Souza, assisted with the translation, organization of documents, and monitoring of processes in the municipalities.
The indictment said that the agents of the Local Police validated residence declarations in Crocetta del Montello for foreigners who, in practice, did not live in the municipality. This allowed the citizenship process to move forward even without proving all the required ties.
Defense contested accusations
The defense argued that there was no illegality, as Italian law does not require fixed residence, but only presence in the country for recognition of citizenship by descent.
“My client only helped Brazilian citizens who wanted recognition of Italian citizenship, providing guidance on the administrative side and also on the initial registration,” explained lawyer Fabio Crea.
The lawyers also emphasized that "contrary to what investigators have claimed, foreigners seeking citizenship are not required to reside permanently in Italy. The law only requires their presence to determine the process," they emphasized.
Documents presented proved the entry and stay of the Brazilians, ruling out suspicions of falsehood or fraud in the records.
Decision closes case
With the ruling, all ten defendants—two local police officers, six agency owners, and two collaborators—were acquitted of the crime of ideological misrepresentation. Judge Cristian Vettoruzzo ruled that the case "has no place to proceed," believing that "the facts do not exist."
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