Stealing small amounts of food to stave off hunger is not a crime, Italy's highest court of appeal has ruled.Judges overturned a theft conviction against Roman Ostriakov after he stole cheese and sausages worth €4.07 (£3; $4.50) from a supermarket.
Mr Ostriakov, a homeless man of Ukrainian background, had taken the food "in the face of the immediate and essential need for nourishment", the court of cassation decided.
Therefore it was not a crime, it said....
In times of economic hardship, the court of cassation's judgement "reminds everyone that in a civilised country not even the worst of men should starve".
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
when theft is not a crime
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Things can happen in Italy that can't happen here, Sophia Loren for example.
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