The Italian justice system has officially reopened the investigation into the homicide of renowned intellectual Pier Paolo Pasolini, which occurred 51 years ago. The move aims to shed light on the unresolved circumstances surrounding his death and determine if other parties were involved. Stefano Maccioni, the lawyer who requested the reopening, announced the development on Monday, expressing hope that this new phase will finally bring closure to the case.
Maccioni, who has long advocated for a fresh inquiry, issued an appeal to anyone with knowledge of the events who previously lacked the courage to speak out. He currently represents the Order of Journalists in the Lazio region, as well as an unidentified filmmaker and writer, having previously represented a cousin of Pasolini.
Pasolini, a prominent figure on the Italian left known for his provocative work and political stances, was found dead on a beach near Rome on November 2, 1975. At the age of 53, he had been violently beaten and run over by an Alfa Romeo GT. It remains unclear whether the vehicle used in the attack belonged to him.
On the same day, Giuseppe "Pino" Pelosi, a 17-year-old sex worker, was arrested driving Pasolini's car. Pelosi initially confessed to the crime, claiming he acted in self-defense after Pasolini allegedly attempted to rape him. He was sentenced to prison and served nearly ten years of his term.
However, in 2005, Pelosi altered his account, stating that Pasolini was actually murdered by three unidentified men speaking with a Sicilian accent. According to Maccioni, recent DNA analyses have revealed traces indicating the presence of other people at the crime scene, prompting a call for investigators to gather all necessary elements to fully clarify the homicide.
Over the past five decades, various theories regarding the motives behind Pasolini's death have emerged, including possibilities of blackmail or a contract killing orchestrated by far-right groups or the mafia. Pasolini was widely known for criticizing bourgeois values, Catholic Church censorship, and the rise of neofascism, often addressing themes of violence, marginality, and social inequality in his work.
His final film, "Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom," released posthumously, served as a critique of Italian fascism and sparked significant controversy due to its explicit depiction of violence and sexual abuse.
Sources: Observador.