The investigation into the controversial pardon granted to Nicole Minetti has widened significantly, with Interpol now formally involved. Italian prosecutors are examining whether the clemency was secured through false or misleading claims, particularly those tied to humanitarian grounds involving a reportedly ill child.
Gaetano Brusa, a prosecutor at the Milan Court of Appeal, confirmed that the inquiry has entered an urgent phase. Authorities are coordinating both domestic police efforts and international channels to verify key aspects of the case. According to Brusa, investigators are reviewing medical documentation, adoption procedures abroad, and even peripheral circumstances that could shed light on the legitimacy of the pardon request.
Central to the controversy is the claim that Minetti needed to care for a seriously ill child. However, this narrative has come under increasing scrutiny. Medical institutions cited in the original application have publicly denied any involvement. A doctor at a Padua University hospital stated he had never treated the child nor had any contact with Minetti. Similarly, records at Milan’s San Raffaele hospital show no trace of the boy.
Furthermore, reports suggest the child underwent successful surgery in Boston in 2021 and no longer requires ongoing specialist care. If confirmed, this would undermine the humanitarian basis on which the pardon was granted.
The political response has been measured but tense. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged that while the formal procedure appeared sound, “other elements have emerged” that warrant clarification. She also dismissed calls for the resignation of Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, despite mounting pressure from opposition figures.
Meanwhile, Milan’s chief prosecutor Francesca Nanni defended her office’s initial assessment, noting it was conducted under standard procedures.
