Italian entrepreneur Roberto
Berardi has been freed from prison in Equatorial Guinea after
two years and six months' detention, his wife, Rossella, and
Democratic Party (PD) Senator Luigi Manconi made known Tuesday.
Berardi was freed from Bata penitentiary on July 9.
"We had to be sure he was on a plane home before announcing
it," said Manconi, who sits chairs the Senate human rights
committee.
"This story only has a happy ending because of Berardi
himself, who withstood torture and abuse".
"I feared Roberto would never make it out alive from that
prison," said wife Rossella.
Berardi, who set up a construction company in Equatorial
Guinea in 2011, was arrested in January 2013 on suspicion of
misappropriation and tax fraud and convicted the following
August, when he was sentenced to two years and four months in
prison.
Serious concerns have been expressed for his safety amid
reports of alleged torture, prolonged detention in solitary
confinement and poor health.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
