Overview

• The Papua New Guinea Court of Appeal overturned Carlo D’Attanasio’s 19-year money laundering sentence and ordered his release after more than four years in detention.
• D’Attanasio is receiving treatment in Port Moresby following a late-stage colon cancer diagnosis and will remain under medical supervision until repatriation.
• Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy in Port Moresby are coordinating with local officials to arrange his return to Rome within hours.
• Defense lawyers maintained that the initial conviction rested on procedural flaws and insufficient evidence, prompting the successful appeal.
• Sustained diplomatic advocacy by Italian officials, legal defence teams, and public figures underscored human rights concerns and influenced the appellate decision.