The preliminary hearing of the Grecale investigation, which involves 27 defendants from the Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro for alleged wrongdoing in the management of the two animal facilities, has been postponed to 17 December. On that occasion, the preliminary questions will be addressed, the requests for the establishment of a civil party will be evaluated and the indictment of the prosecutor Saverio Sapia will be heard.
The hearing of the cardiologist Ciro Indolfi remains uncertain: his lawyer, Massimo Scuteri, has indicated the possibility that the accused may ask to be questioned.
Meanwhile, 22 associations have requested to join as civil parties, including LNDC, LAV, Enpa and the Italian Animal Rights Party. However, the University and the Ministry of Health did not submit an application, despite appearing as the offended parties. One of the associations has also announced that, if admitted, it will ask for the University, the Ministry of Health and the MIUR to be cited as civil managers.
At the same hearing it will be known who has chosen the abbreviated procedure and who will await the preliminary hearing judge’s decision on indictment.
The investigation alleges mistreatment of animals used in laboratories, including irregular killing procedures and non-compliant environmental conditions, with possible repercussions both on the welfare of the guinea pigs and on the validity of the experiments.