Riccardo Casamassima

Riccardo Casamassima is an Italian carabiniere from Andria who played a pivotal role in reopening the investigation into the death of Stefano Cucchi. His testimony in 2015, alongside his wife Maria Rosati, revealed that Cucchi had been violently assaulted by the police officers who arrested him. This courageous act led to significant legal consequences for those involved in Cucchi's death, including convictions for manslaughter. Casamassima has faced severe reprisals from the Carabinieri for his whistleblowing, including demotions and legal challenges. Recently, he was promoted to the rank of appuntato scelto with special qualification, marking a long-awaited recognition of his service amidst the turmoil he experienced.