Criminal investigation opened against Ticino councillor Zali over sexual offences

The Ticino prosecutor's office has opened a new criminal case against cantonal councillor Claudio Zali, a representative of the Lega dei Ticinesi, over offences against sexual integrity. According to what has emerged, the alleged facts date back several years.

The case was opened on the basis of statements made by a third person. Zali was recently questioned by investigators as a suspect and denied any criminal responsibility.

The letter to the cantonal parliament

The news is confirmed by a letter that Attorney General Andrea Pagani sent to the presidential office of the Gran Consiglio, the Ticino cantonal parliament. The document, which RSI was able to view, states that, given the ongoing investigative proceedings, the prosecutor's office will not release further information on the case.

The letter also recalls the secrecy of the investigation, which prevents details of the inquiry from being made public while it remains open. It recalls the presumption of innocence, under which Zali cannot be considered guilty before any final conviction. Finally, the prosecutor's office stresses the need to protect the alleged victim of the facts in question, whose identity is not disclosed.

No further details of the case are known at this stage, and the prosecutor's office has not indicated a timeline for concluding the inquiry.