Hopes for justice four years after Genoa bridge collapse
July 7, 2022, 7:25 pm

Hopes for justice four years after Genoa bridge collapse

Genoa is the capital of the Italian region of Liguria and the sixth-largest city in Italy - Photo. Pixabay

The Anews reported, citing the DPA, trial of the officials blamed for the fatal August 2018 collapse of a motorway bridge in the Italian city of Genoa was adjourned on Thursday (July 7) after the court set dates for the proceedings and heard fresh applications.

A total of 59 people are being charged over the disaster, which claimed 43 lives in 2018. The prosecution will hear more than 170 witnesses. More than 300 civilian plaintiffs have already joined the lawsuit.

Egle Possetti, a spokesperson for the victims' association, said the association was among those submitting a new application as a plaintiff. Proceedings were to resume on September 12, she said.

One of the relatives of the victims told Italian television: "This is the last hope for justice that we still have.”

Three halls were prepared for the first day of the trial, one of which was a tent.

Possetti said: "After almost four years we have high expectations.”

Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy (File photo: Pixabay)

She added: "We expect this trial to bring justice, to provide clarity regarding the reasons and responsibility that led to the deaths of our loved ones, because otherwise their deaths will have been in vain, and they will not be able to rest in peace.”

She added that it was necessary for those responsible to be brought to justice for the victims to be able to "rest in peace."

Climate change: Six dead in glacier collapse in northern Italy

Observers expect that the first verdicts may only be reached in two years. Among the defendants are experts and former executives of the company responsible for the maintenance of the bridge, as well as former members of the Infrastructure Ministry and other authorities.

"I believe that everyone wants to know the truth," Giovanni Accinni, a lawyer representing one of the accused former officials, said.

His colleague, Guido Carlo Alleva, added: "Today we are starting to talk about the facts." He contrasted this with what he termed a "media-oriented, falsified and twisted process" that followed the collapse.

Italy's Venice will offer an entry ticket for tourists in 2023

Alleva pointed to an experts' report indicating that the bridge had construction defects.

The former officials are being charged with manslaughter, abuse of office, and dereliction of duty.

Two other companies, a maintenance firm and the highway operator, have already settled outside of court for around €30 million ($30.6 million).

After the collapse hundreds of people who lived below the bridge became homeless. The reason for the disaster is presumed to be damage that was not spotted due to a lack of proper maintenance.

A new bridge has been built over the Polcevera river, which was inaugurated as the Ponte San Giorgio (St George Bridge) in August 2020.

Source: anews

NASA: Russia occupies 22 percent of Ukraine farmland Egypt and UK to cooperate in renewable energy

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.