MURDER TRIAL IN ROME

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 8

MURDER TRIAL IN ROME

DEATH OF MATTEOTTI IN 1924 CHARGES AGAINST FOUR MEN LONDON, January 22. The trial began in Rome to-day of four former henchmen of Mussolini for the murder in 1924 of the Italian Socialist martyr, Giacomo Matteotti. They are: Amerigo Dumini. who was once thought to have been shot and killed by an Australian provost sergeant in Derna in 1941. and Amleto Poveromo, who is charged with actually committing the murder. Cecare Rossi, who is charged with complicity, and Francesco Giunta, who is charged with organising the Fascist secret police. Four others, whose whereabouts are unknown, will be tried in their absence.

The correspondent of the British United Press in Rome says that 200 eager spectators jammed the courtroom to hear evidence showing what part Mussolini played in the removal of his sharpest critic. Matteotti was abducted in the streets of Rome on June 10. 1924. Francesco Giunta said in evidence that while he was in a taxi he saw three men following Matteotti. He stopped and warned Matteotti. who only laughed and thanked him. Giunta disclaimed any connexion with the killing. He claimed instead that when he heard that Matteotti had disappeared he confronted Mussolini and said that he would resign unless Matteotti were found.

The four men who are being tried in their sbsence are Augusto Malacvria, who is named as one of the actual murderers, Filippo Filipelli. a newspaper editor in whose car the murder is said to have been committed. Guiseppe Viola, and Filippo Pozzeri, who are accused of complicity.