The third criminal section of the Court of Cassation has overturned the acquittal of the former trade unionist accused of sexual assault against a stewardess, ordering a new trial before the Court of Appeal of Milan.

The sentence had sparked bitter controversy as, according to the Court of Appeal, the behaviour of the trade unionist at the time of the alleged violence had not "nullified any possible reaction of the injured party, having lasted for a time window (...) of 20-30 seconds" which "would have also allowed her to disappear".

The supreme judges, accepting the request of the deputy attorney general of the Court of Cassation Fulvio Baldi , however annulled the verdict and referred the case back to the Court of Appeal of Milan.

The Milan Attorney General's Office and the civil party had appealed against the Court of Appeal's ruling last June.

(Online Union)

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