The charge of vehicular homicide in last month’s fatal police chase in Milan remains unchanged for now, prosecutors announced Friday. The incident involved the death of 19-year-old Egyptian-Italian Ramy Elgaml, who was on the back of a scooter driven by 22-year-old Tunisian friend Fares Bouzidi.
Prosecutors stated the charge has not been upgraded to homicide with intent despite the release of potentially incriminating video footage. They are awaiting further expert analyses, including a “cinematic consultancy,” before considering any changes.
Video Raises Questions
The video shows Carabinieri chasing the scooter over an eight-kilometre pursuit after Elgaml reportedly ran a checkpoint due to lacking a valid licence. In the footage, officers are heard cursing after failing to knock the scooter down and shouting “good” when it eventually falls.
The video also appears to show the lead patrol car making contact with the scooter, causing it to crash. Witness accounts suggest police may have pressured individuals to erase evidence of the incident.
Unrest and Political Divisions
The fatal chase sparked unrest in Milan’s Corvetto district, a high-crime area where Ramy Elgaml lived. Several police officers were injured during days of protests. Additional officers were hurt in a “solidarity” demonstration by anarchist squatters in Turin on Thursday night.
The case has sharply divided Italian politics. Right-wing politicians defend the police, citing the need for law enforcement in difficult areas. Left-wing figures, however, have called for the officers to face prosecution, comparing the incident to isolated cases of past police brutality.
Investigations into the crash and its circumstances are ongoing.
