About sixty works of art that seem to have disappeared into thin air.
Valuable 'pieces' that must have been kept in the churches of Turin and the province but of which no trace can be found.
Maybe due to an inventory problem.
Or maybe because they were stolen.
An investigation by the Carabinieri of the artistic heritage protection unit speaks of this, which in recent days has resulted in a search of a priest, Don Marino Basso, 68 years old, parish priest in Pecetto (Turin).
Three people are under investigation with him, none of whom have embraced the priesthood: two carry out a more prosaic activity of clearing out cellars.
The subalpine prosecutor's office has opened a case hypothesizing the crime of theft.
The Carabinieri's investigations are concentrated on a convent in the Susa Valley and on the Consolata Sanctuary, a place of worship in the hearts of all the faithful of Turin.
Don Basso, exorcist, former seminary trainer and secretary of the Presbyteral Council, was its rector for 12 years.
"He is unrelated to the disputed facts", explains his lawyer, Maurizo Caldararo, specifying that he was informed of the existence of an investigation against him only on 30 January and that "evidently the judiciary believes it needs to clarify on some aspects".
The investigation was born from the glance of a policeman from the Unit, who in a market in Susa noticed a painting that was included in the databases among the missing works.
In a note, the dioceses of Turin and Susa communicate that they are "interested in the maximum protection of their artistic and cultural heritage", "collaborate at every level for its conservation" and "trust in the work of the judiciary".
As for Don Basso, we "have full confidence that he, to the best of his knowledge, can clarify every aspect in a clear and exhaustive way".
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