Vannacci cleared of defaming Egonu

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 17 - Italian army general Roberto Vannacci was cleared Monday of defaming volleyball star Paolo Egonu in his controversial book The World Upside Down.
    Vannacci, 55, said in the runaway bestseller of Egonu, 25, who has Nigerian parents: "even if Paola Egonu is Italian by citizenship, it is clear that her somatic features do not represent Italian-ness".
    Shelving the defamation suit, a Lucca preliminary investigations judge (GIP) said the suspended general's remark was "inopportune but not denigratory".
    Vannaci, recently elected with over half a million votes to the European Parliament as an independent for the rightwing League party, said he had never intended to gratuitously offend Egonu's reputation.
    After she sued him, the former paratroop commander said he "esteemed Egonu as a sportswoman and Italian".
    Vannacci's lawyer called the ruling "a victory for the freedom of opinion".
    Egonu's lawyer called the ruling "unacceptable" and said they woud probably appeal. (ANSA).