The preliminary hearing into the Cagliari ultras at the center of a DIGOS investigation, coordinated by DDA prosecutor Danilo Tronci, concluded with three convictions and one acquittal, plus 23 other indictments . Yesterday morning, the preliminary hearing judge, Marco Mascia, sentenced Marco and Simone Podda (represented by lawyer Teresa Camoglio) to 2 years and 8 months in prison, while Luigi Piras (represented by lawyer Francesco Iovino) was sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison. The prosecutor had requested 7 and a half years in prison for him, while the prosecution had requested 3 years for the other two. Giuseppe Aresu , represented by lawyer Alberto Pani, was acquitted of all charges, also at the request of the prosecutor.
At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the judge committed Marco Carta, Matteo Cau, Alessio Cogoni, Giacomo Flore, Francesco Fullone, Michele Granella, Alessandro Loi, Davide Melis, Gabriele Mereu, Mattia Mulliri, Andrea Murru, Yuri Musa, Andrea Ortu, Francesco Piga, Luca Serra, Giorgio Siddi, Andrea Sollai, Diego Trillocco, Paolo Vaccargiu, Giuseppe Vervesca, Andrea Zedda, Fabio Mario Zoccheddu, and Matteo Zucca to trial. Ten are being defended by attorney Marcella Cabras, while the others are being represented by lawyers Riccardo Floris, Franco Villa, Fernando Vignes, Edoardo Vassallo, Francesco Iovino, Mario Canessa, Marco Usai, Alessandra Suergiu, and Fausto Argiolas . The trial will begin on March 23, 2027.
The investigation began in July 2022, when the Cagliari DIGOS (Special Operations Unit) executed 33 pre-trial detention orders: five people were jailed, 13 under house arrest. About forty of the approximately 300 members were under investigation, accused of various charges of criminal conspiracy to organize attacks, ambushes, and punitive raids against opposing fans, as well as misdemeanors. In February 2024, five ultras had already agreed to three years and two months in prison: Michele Urru, Matteo Sciarrone, Stefano and Mattia Secci, and Manuel Arru, represented by lawyers Marcella Cabras, Mario Canessa, Herika Dessì, and Marco Lisu. Former Rossoblu and national team player Andrea Cossu , under investigation for a marginal role (allegedly donating shirts to the group, thus helping to finance its finances), also closed his case. Represented by lawyer Leonardo Filippi, he agreed to a fine.
(Unioneonline)