Riccione, September 17, 2026 – Two years and four months of imprisonment. This is the sentence pronounced by the judges of the Rimini panel, in the first instance, against Emanuele Bucca, international fencing referee who was put on trial for an alleged episode of harassment against a minor that supposedly took place in Riccione during a tournament dedicated to very young athletes from all over Italy. The public prosecutor Luca Bertuzzi had requested a sentence of five years of imprisonment.
The first instance sentence
The one pronounced by the Rimini Court is a first instance sentence and is not final. The defense, which throughout the entire proceeding has maintained the defendant’s innocence regarding the contested facts and believes “there are no objective elements to support the hypothesis of guilt,” has announced its intention to appeal the decision before the Court of Appeal. Until the sentence becomes final, the referee is presumed innocent.
The facts date back to 2021
The proceeding concerns facts dating back to May 13, 2021 which, according to the accusation, occurred inside a hotel in Riccione. At that time, the city was hosting the Italian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships at the Playhall. The alleged victim, also Sicilian, was 16 years old and was in the Riviera with her family to participate in the competition. According to the reconstruction carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office, the referee allegedly attempted an approach towards the girl while the two were alone inside a hotel room. The accusation claims that the man tried to kiss her and attempted to touch her intimate parts. The young girl reportedly managed to avoid the approach and subsequently the matter came to the attention of the investigators.
The defense
The position taken by the defense is completely opposite. Bucca has always denied the accusations and denied having committed the acts he is charged with. The lawyers Vainer Nanni and Antonella Senatore, who assist him, argued during the trial that the alleged historical fact never occurred. According to the defense line, moreover, the accusatory framework essentially rests on the statements of the civil party, without external objective evidence that, in the opinion of the defendant’s lawyers, can confirm the reconstruction. These arguments were presented by the defense before the Panel requesting a favorable decision for the defendant, but at first instance they did not lead to acquittal.
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The sentence
The Court pronounced a sentence of two years and four months, less than the five years requested by the public prosecution. However, the judicial case cannot be considered closed. Once the reasons for the sentence are filed, the defense will be able to evaluate the grounds of the decision and file an appeal.
“We will appeal”
“We will definitely appeal – explains lawyer Nanni – because we are convinced that there are no objective elements supporting the accusatory thesis.” The possible second instance judgment will then re-examine the case.
