Meloni announces Chico Forti to be transferred to Italy after Biden meeting [View all]

[Prairie Gates]

President Biden met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House today. Meloni, from the far right Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, has proved an unlikely ally on European support for Ukraine, taking a strong pro-Ukraine stance both domestically and in the G7.

It's all over the Italian press that Meloni has announced the transfer to Italy of Enrico "Chico" Forti, who was convicted of murder in Florida and sentenced to life without parole. He is considered by many Italians the "Italian Amanda Knox," convicted and sentenced for a crime he did not commit (editor's note: he's almost certainly guilty).

Italy sought to have him transferred to an Italian prison in a deal that all but had him on a plane three years ago. However, it fell through because Miami-Dade prosecutors appealed to Ron DeSantis that his transfer would in essence amount to a sentence reduction because Italy at that time didn't have a life without parole sentence. (This was in 2020).

Meloni posted to Instagram today that they were now expecting him at any time in Italy, and thanking Florida and the federal government for working the deal. It is almost certain that he will be released soon by any Italian court, as it is the widespread belief in Italy that he was railroaded by Miami-Dade prosecutors. Also, Meloni's Twitter video is awfully welcoming for an convicted murderer. It's like "And now we're awaiting you in Italy, Chico." Yeesh.