SENTENCED TO DEATH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 11 January 1944, Page 5

SENTENCED TO DEATH

TRIAL OF COUNT CIANO

(Rec. 10.35 a.m.) Rugby, Jan. 10. Count Ciano, Mussolini’s son-jn-law, Marshal de Bono and other notorious Fascist"leaders who voted for the deposition of the Duce have been sentenced to death by a special Fascist tribunal in northern Italy. ALREADY EXECUTED? Count Ciano is believed to have been already executed, says the Berne correspondent of the British United Press. Count Ciano, it is reported, escaped during the week-end but was tracked down and shot, though not gravely wounded. He attended the trial and heard the death sentence pronounced against him.

OTHER OFFICIALS ALSO CONDEMNED

Marshal de Bono, former supreme commander of the Italian Army, Marinelli, ex-director of the Fascist Party, Gottardi, ex-trade union chief, Pareschi, ex-Minister of Agriculture, and other members of the Fascist Grand Council who voted against Mussolini when he wanted to continue the war, have been sentenced to death.

The German news agency announced the “trial of the signatories in the order of the day drawn up by Signor Grandi for the session of the Fascist Grand Council leading to the wellknown events of 25th July has been taking place at Castelvechio, Verona, since the Bth January. All the accused were sentenced to death except Cianetti, ex-Minister t " Fascist Corporations, who was sentenced to 30 years’ penal servitude.” The news agency added that 18 were sentenced to death, 13 of whom were absent.