"Two years have passed since the attack in which the Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca Attanasio, the chosen carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and the driver of the World Food Program Mustapha Milambo
lost their lives
. Remember Luca Attanasio and Vittorio Iacovacci it is not only an institutional duty, but an act of justice and love, towards their families and loved ones, who mourn their loss more than anyone else and who can count on the support of the institutions to learn the truth about those tragic events" .
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declares it.
The memory of the victims is an institutional duty, an act of justice and love", continues Meloni, also "for our nation, which can proudly pay homage to the sacrifice of two state servants who were killed in the performance of their duties.
Towards future generations, so that they can be inspired by Luca and Vittorio on their own human and professional journey.
Two men - he continues - who served in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that Pope Francis defined in his recent apostolic journey as 'a continent within the African continent' and a 'diamond of creation'.
A country that the international community has often forgotten but which on the contrary deserves the attention, respect and support it needs to express its potential". "
This - underlines the premier - is the spirit that moved the action and work of Ambassador Attanasio and of the chosen carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This is the spirit that moves Italy's foreign policy towards Africa, which has the strategic objective of building a virtuous model of collaboration and growth capable of guaranteeing security, stability and mutual development for our peoples and our nations." .
The ambassador was also remembered by the President of the Republic
Sergio Mattarella
.
"The Italian Republic preserves the memory of their sacrifice and of all those who generously gave their lives in serving the institutions. In their memory the Italian commitment continues in Africa for the promotion of the values of solidarity and peaceful coexistence among peoples".
The Senate observed a minute's silence in the Chamber.
"The example of Luca and Vittorio is a source of inspiration every day for the many young diplomats who are increasingly engaged on the front lines where, supported by the men and women of the Carabinieri, they face complex contexts, international crisis situations, sometimes putting their own lives at risk. Their dedication, passion and sense of the state are the same with which our diplomats represent Italy in the world, protecting and promoting the national interest of our businesses and of all Italian citizens".
Thus the foreign minister Antonio Tajani
recalled the ambassador Luca Attanasio, the carabiniere Antonio Iacovacci and their driver Mustapha Milambo, two years after the ambush on the convoy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The final hearing of the ongoing trial in Kinshasa is set for next Wednesday, March 1st, Fr
for the killing of the ambassador Luca Attanasio, the carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and their driver Mustapha Milambo.
This was reported by sources informed by the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the second anniversary of the death of the Italian diplomat.
The prosecution's requests and the arguments from the civil and defense parties are expected in a week's time, he specified, recalling that the date had been set at the previous hearing, which took place on February 15th.
As is well known, six Congolese (the "gang leader" is on the run) accused of the ambush in which Attanasio was killed have been on trial before a military tribunal since October.
The charges against them are, in various capacities, of murder, criminal association and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition of war, the
charge justifying the appeal to the military tribunal.
The defendants have denied their involvement by retracting initial admissions extorted, according to them, with violence.
Attanasio, 43, was fatally injured by gunfire in an ambush by criminals on a United Nations World Food Program (WFP) convoy traveling on the edge of the Virunga National Park, in the province of North Kivu, a high-risk area for three decades.
