Theft of Food Is Not a Crime

From time to time, the media circulates news about another person convicted of theft, for example, a chocolate bar.

In 2011, a homeless person from Ukraine stole sausage and cheese worth 4.07 euros in Genoa. He tried to take them under his jacket but was apprehended by another shopper, the store owner, who called the police. The homeless person was sentenced to 6 months in prison and a fine of 100 euros. The prosecutor appealed the sentence, arguing that formally, the accused should have been tried for attempted theft, not theft. However, the Supreme Court annulled the verdict entirely, arguing that “the accused’s status and the circumstances of the theft indicate that he stole a small amount of food he needed to satisfy his immediate and basic need for nourishment.” The court stated that it was clear the accused “could not live without food, so he acted out of necessity.” Stealing a small amount of food to satisfy the need for survival when hungry is not a crime; this summarizes the ruling of the Italian court.

Recent studies have shown that one in four people in Italy is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. According to Caritas Europe, 28.4% of Italians are at risk of poverty compared to 24.5% of EU residents.

The increase in poverty levels and homelessness is currently a pan-European phenomenon. I’ve witnessed this while traveling…