"I didn't do anything. Just two selfies." These were the words of Sabri Souaissa, a 40-year-old Algerian asylum seeker, at the hearing to validate his arrest for aggravated sexual assault on a thirteen-year-old minor, which occurred last Friday in Marina Piccola. Yesterday, before investigating judge Luca Melis, the man, assisted by his lawyer Alessandro Falconi, exercised his right to remain silent, limiting himself to a few spontaneous statements.
Ultimately, the judge, considering that the 40-year-old was currently being held at the Monastir detention center, confirmed the arrest, deeming the requirement to sign in sufficient. Souaissa was thus released from Uta prison.
The incident occurred last week and was reconstructed by investigators from the Flying Squad. According to the charges, the 40-year-old Algerian man approached the girl to have his photo taken and then take a selfie. At that point, as revealed by the investigations conducted by officers coordinated by Director Davide Carboni, the man grabbed her hand and beat her. The prompt reaction of the victim and two other young women stopped the attack. The girl immediately told her mother, and a complaint was filed.
Security cameras in the area provided useful information for the investigation, coordinated by Deputy Prosecutor Daniele Caria. The charges were confirmed, and a day later the man was located, again in Poetto, and arrested. Photos taken with the minor were also found on Souaissa's cell phone.
Matthew Vercelli
