Vannacci, 55, said in the runaway bestseller that Egonu, 25, who has Nigerian parents: “even if Paola Egonu is Italian by citizenship, it is clear that her somatic features do not represent Italian-ness”.
Shelving the defamation suit, a Lucca preliminary investigations judge (GIP) said the suspended general’s remark was “inopportune but not denigratory”.
Vannaci, recently elected with over half a million votes to the European Parliament as an independent for the right-wing League party, said he had never intended to gratuitously offend Egonu’s reputation.
After she sued him, the former paratrooper commander said he “esteemed Egonu as a sportswoman and Italian”.
Vannacci’s lawyer called the ruling “a victory for the freedom of opinion”.
Egonu’s lawyer called the ruling “unacceptable” and said they would probably appeal.
ANSA
