Rome prosecutors seek to close Covid-19 investigation without charges

Rome prosecutors have asked a judge to effectively close an investigation into Italian and UN health officials over Italys 2020 Covid-19 response without charges, on the grounds that no crimes were committed.

In a significant development, Rome prosecutors have requested a judge to effectively conclude an investigation into Italian and UN health officials regarding Italy's 2020 COVID-19 response. The prosecutors, Claudia Terracina and Paolo Ielo, have called for the archiving of the probe that garnered considerable media attention due to Italy's staggering toll as the initial epicenter of the pandemic in Europe. While the judge holds the authority to override the request, such an outcome is highly improbable.

Past Closures and Current Developments

Previously, prosecutors had already closed their case without pressing charges against three former Italian health ministers. On Thursday, they expanded their request to shelve the case against nine additional officials, including Dr. Ranieri Guerra, a former high-ranking official at the World Health Organization (WHO). Guerra's lawyer, Roberto De Vita, confirmed this development.

Initial Investigation Focus and Expansion

The investigation initially centered on determining whether delayed lockdowns in the severely affected northern city of Bergamo contributed to the high death toll. However, it subsequently broadened to encompass a broader assessment of Italy's overall preparedness for the crisis and its potential role in the devastating outcome.

Controversy over WHO Report

A significant aspect of the investigation involved controversy surrounding a WHO report on Italy's response. The report was published by the UN health agency in May 2020 but was taken down a day later and never republished. Francesco Zambon, a former WHO official, alleged that the organization suppressed the report to shield the Italian government from criticism regarding its outdated pandemic preparedness plan. However, WHO maintained that the report contained inaccuracies and was published prematurely.

Guerra's Involvement and Rebuttal

Guerra, who served as the former head of the department of prevention in the Italian health ministry until 2017, was also a WHO envoy to Italy during the pandemic. De Vita, his lawyer, revealed that prosecutors concluded that the pandemic plan was undergoing updates. Guerra welcomed the decision to shelve the case, expressing his belief that it should have been closed two years ago when he presented prosecutors with documentation proving his proper conduct. In a statement, Guerra emphasized the severe damage to his reputation caused by the controversy and criticized those who accused him of failing to protect Italy.

The conclusion of this investigation, if approved by the judge, will bring an end to a highly scrutinized chapter in Italy's management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exoneration of Guerra and other officials involved signifies a potential turning point in the narrative surrounding Italy's response to the unprecedented health crisis.