Milan, Italy – Four Italian police officers are under investigation for allegedly obstructing the investigation into the death of Abdherraim Mansouri, a 28-year-ancient Moroccan man shot by a colleague during a drug enforcement operation in the Rogoredo district of Milan on January 26th. The officers are accused of providing misleading accounts of the events surrounding the shooting and delaying the notification of emergency services, according to a statement released by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office.
Carmelo Cinturrino, an assistant chief with the Mecenate police station, remains under investigation for voluntary manslaughter in connection with Mansouri’s death. Initial reports indicated Cinturrino fired his weapon after believing Mansouri brandished a firearm. However, investigators now believe the weapon was a replica Beretta 92 pistol with a red safety cap.
The new investigation focuses on the actions of the four officers who were present at the scene. Prosecutors allege they attempted to “elude the investigations” by offering inconsistent testimonies regarding the sequence of events, the presence of other individuals, and the timing of the call for medical assistance. Some of the officers have since revised their initial statements, providing information that supports the theory of a deliberate act, and casting doubt on Cinturrino’s claim of self-defense.
The probe was spurred by discrepancies in witness statements and footage from security cameras in the area, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Investigators are also awaiting the results of DNA analysis conducted on the replica firearm. Cinturrino provided a saliva sample last week, and forensic consultant Denise Albani is currently analyzing it to determine if any DNA evidence is present and to whom it may belong.
The developments come after a Milan court, in a previous ruling unrelated to the Mansouri case, highlighted “penally relevant conduct” and inconsistencies in a police arrest report involving a suspected drug dealer who was later acquitted. This prior case has added to scrutiny of police procedures in the Rogoredo area, which is known for its open-air drug trade.
Prosecutors are examining whether Cinturrino improperly managed the operation he was assigned to, and whether the delay in calling for medical assistance contributed to Mansouri’s death. The investigation continues, with further interrogations of the four officers scheduled in the coming days.
