The Genoa court of appeal acquitted Flavio Briatore and three other people "because the fact does not constitute a crime" in the trial on the Force Blue yacht affair, in which the entrepreneur was accused of a tax evasion of over 3 million on VAT and for the charter business.
The maxi yacht was seized in 2010, off the coast of La Spezia, while the manager was on board with Elisabetta Gregoraci and her son. The judges overturned the confiscation of the boat and the 3.6 million fine.
What ends today is an encore trial, ordered by the Supreme Court which had annulled the previous appeal sentence which sentenced Briatore to 18 months.
The prosecutor general had also asked for the acquittal and the revocation of the confiscation. The sentence is final, but as regards the confiscation, the State Attorney's Office could challenge the decision. The Force Blue was already sold at auction a year ago, it was sold for 7 million (with an estimated value of 20) the former owner of Formula 1 Bernie Ecclestone.
And Massimo Pelliccio, lawyer who together with Franco Coppi assisted Briatore, announces battle: "It is unacceptable that the yacht has been sold before the settlement of the case. Now the owner and Briatore are entitled to adequate refreshment".
On the sentence instead: "Finally a sentence that does justice. It is a process that after 12 years sees a definitive acquittal, an acquittal that was evident from the beginning".
BRIATORE - "In May 2010 the Guardia di Finanza seized my boat and the news that I was a tax evader came out in the media all over the world. Today, after 12 years and 6 trials, my innocence has finally been ascertained. A true calvary that has fortunately ended ". Thus Flavio Briatore comments on the news and thanks "all the professionals who have followed me in this story".
(Unioneonline / L)
