Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini visited Mario Roggero in Bollate prison for a second time in two days on Saturday, escalating his campaign on behalf of the jeweler serving a 14-year sentence for killing two robbers who stormed his shop in 2021.
Salvini called the sentence "absolutely excessive" and akin to life imprisonment, and said he would be proud to field Roggero as a candidate to represent Italians. Roggero's wife has formally requested a presidential pardon, prompting Justice Minister Carlo Nordio to open a preliminary review. A center-right petition drive is underway in support.
Salvini, who noted the Lega-backed government already passed a self-defense law, said the clemency decision rests solely with the president and denied any friction with the Quirinale over the request.