01 January 2024 , 22:48
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An Italian MP is under investigation after a man was accidentally shot with his gun at a New Year's Eve party.
MP Emanuele Pozzolo, 38, denies pulling the trigger and says "the shot was fired accidentally" at the injured 31-year-old victim, son-in-law of an escort agent for the undersecretary for justice Andrea Delmastro.
The victim was dashed to hospital and has since been discharged. The weapon, a lighter-sized North American Arms LR22, was found to be owned by Pozzolo MP. He said on Monday: "Regarding the incident that occurred on New Year's Eve in Rosazza, I confirm that the gunshot - regularly held by me - which injured one of the party participants was fired accidentally, but I was not the one who shot."
The shooting rocked the party in Rosazza, a small town in the Biella area, and has led to a stiff reaction across the whole political spectrum in Italy. Left-wing politician Nicola Fratoianni said: "It seems like a third-rate film but instead it is reality."
Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro told ANSA: "I was outside in the square when the event happened. When I returned they told me when it happened. I made sure that immediate help was called, and my escort advised me to go, but I was in no danger and I stayed. Fortunately, the injured boy is fine, he has a ten-day prognosis and has been discharged. But the story could have had another outcome."
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Giorgia Meloni became Italy's Prime Minister in October 2022 and her Brothers of Italy has been since branded the "most right-wing" since World War Two. Pozzolo MP, a law graduate and former legal consultant, also represents Ms Meloni's party. It is said he was showing the mini-pistol he had with him to some of the guests when the shot was accidentally fired last night. MP Delmastro, 47, is also a member of the Brothers of Italy party.
Representative of the Democratic Party, Debora Serracchiani, said today: "We expect Giorgia Meloni to intervene to clarify and take the consequent measures."