The Apulian sludge arriving in Planargia will not be confiscated. The highly publicized case was concluded in court today: the statute of limitations expired, Judge Chiara Lai ruled.

Leonardo Galleri, minority shareholder and legal representative of Geco (the company that manages the sludge treatment plant), was on trial for unauthorized waste management, represented by Danilo Mattana. Also in the courtroom were lawyers Laura Onida and Alessandro Gamberini, representing the Citizens' Committee and environmental associations.

The investigation began in 2021 following numerous reports from residents of Magomadas, Tresnuraghes, Flussio, and Tinnura, exasperated by the stench and concerned about potential pollution. After an investigation by the Forestry Department, the plant was subsequently sealed (an order later partially revoked). Prosecutor Marco De Crescenzo contests the unauthorized collection, transportation, and disposal of waste, as well as the emission of hazardous vapors and odors, and at the previous hearing had requested the confiscation of the material (a request also supported by the civil parties). Geco has always maintained that it had all the necessary paperwork and permits.

The judge deemed confiscation inapplicable because the waste is not hazardous but rather merely waste, and the company should dispose of it.

"This verdict doesn't surprise us," commented Franco Sechi, spokesperson for the Committee. "We acknowledge it and await the reasons. We hope that this type of activity doesn't resume, and we will certainly continue to monitor it."

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