Ustica: France ready to collaborate, prosecutor considers withdrawal of archiving request

The French embassy recently sent a note to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing its willingness to transfer all documents related to the Ustica massacre, which occurred in 1980 involving an Itavia aircraft. This communication was forwarded through the Presidency of the Council to the Italian Ministry of Justice.

In response to France's openness, the Prosecutor's Office in Rome is considering withdrawing its request to archive the investigation. On Wednesday, during a hearing with the preliminary investigations judge, prosecutors will indicate their intention to continue the inquiry thanks to the French cooperation, which is viewed as a significant breakthrough.

According to reports, the documents that France might transfer include those from the Ministry of Defense and other relevant materials concerning previous requests from the Prosecutor's Office, useful to the ongoing investigations. This new interest in the inquiry arises after years of demands from the Italian judiciary.

Daria Bonfietti, president of the Association of Ustica Victims' Families, expressed relief at the news of France's openness, considering the step taken by the French government important. However, she also emphasized that it is essential to examine the documents before making further statements.

The reopened investigation into the Ustica massacre, which began in 2008, may thus receive new impetus through the documentation that could now arrive from France. The Italian judiciary has long awaited these answers, including details such as radar recordings and the movements of aircraft carriers near the incident.

France's willingness to collaborate on the documents also raises questions about what might emerge from such materials, which could provide clarifications on a tragedy that claimed the lives of 81 people while the DC9 was in flight.