An Italian farmer has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for leaving an injured undocumented worker to die on the side of a road with his severed arm in a box. Antonello Lovato was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter with eventual intent in connection with the death of Satnam Singh, a 31-year-old Indian national.
In June 2024, Singh suffered a severe farm accident in Borgo Santa Maria, where a machine tore off his arm and crushed his legs. Instead of seeking immediate medical attention, Lovato reportedly abandoned Singh and his wife on the roadside with the severed limb. Singh died two days later at a hospital in Rome due to severe hemorrhaging. According to forensic reports and unions supporting Singh's widow, prompt medical intervention could have likely saved his life.
During his trial, which began in 2025, Lovato claimed he "lost his head" upon seeing Singh bleeding but insisted he did not want him to die. Prosecutors had sought a 22-year sentence.
The case garnered significant media attention in Italy and ignited a broader debate concerning the working conditions and exploitation of undocumented laborers on the country's farms. Thousands of Indian farm workers demonstrated in Latina, a rural area south of Rome, to demand justice and an end to what they described as "slavery."
Italian unions have denounced the widespread practice of employing undocumented migrants, a system known as "caporalato," which leaves workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Maurizio Landini, secretary-general of the CGIL trade union federation, stated at the trial's commencement that this system treats people like "merchandise" and that a cultural shift in business practices is necessary to prevent future tragedies. He emphasized that while Lovato's trial was important, it was not an isolated case and that systemic change was required.