Francesco Schettino, the former captain of the Costa Concordia, has renounced his request for semi-liberty on April 8, 2025, a decision that has caught the attention of many, given the gravity of his past actions. Schettino, who has been serving a 16-year sentence for his role in the tragic shipwreck that occurred on January 13, 2012, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people, was expected to appear before the Surveillance Court of Rome to discuss his potential release under less restrictive conditions.
The hearing, initially scheduled for March 4, was postponed to April 8 due to a change in the presiding judge. However, on the day of the rescheduled hearing, Schettino's lawyer, Francesca Carnicelli, announced that her client would not pursue his request for semi-liberty. "We have renounced the request due to difficulties with the proposed work arrangement submitted to the court," Carnicelli stated. "The procedure has been closed, and the court has ruled that there is no need to proceed further." This decision was made by Schettino himself, as he felt that the conditions for moving forward were no longer viable.
Currently, Schettino is incarcerated at Rebibbia prison in Rome, where he has been since May 13, 2017, following his conviction for multiple manslaughter, culpable injuries, culpable shipwreck, and abandonment of the ship. He has served enough of his sentence to be eligible for alternative measures to imprisonment, allowing him to request semi-liberty, which would enable him to work outside the prison during the day.
During his time in prison, Schettino has maintained good behavior, which has allowed him to earn permits to leave the facility for certain periods. Since 2020, he has been involved in the digitization of judicial documents related to significant historical events in Italy, including the Ustica massacre and the kidnapping of Aldo Moro. His potential employment under the 'Seconda Chance' project, which would allow him to work at the Vatican's Fabbrica di San Pietro, was a key factor in his initial request for semi-liberty.
However, according to Carnicelli, complications arose regarding this work opportunity, leading to the decision to withdraw the request. "In the future, if the conditions allow us to propose it again, we will do so," she added, indicating that while this chapter may be closed for now, it is not necessarily the end of the road for Schettino's hopes for semi-liberty.
The Costa Concordia disaster remains a haunting memory for many. The cruise ship, one of the largest in the world, ran aground and capsized off the coast of Isola del Giglio after Schettino made the controversial decision to steer the vessel closer to shore for a salute to the island. This ill-fated maneuver resulted in a massive gash in the hull, leading to the ship's eventual sinking. The tragedy not only claimed lives but also left hundreds injured, and the images of the ship leaning perilously on its side are etched in the collective memory of those who followed the disaster.
In the aftermath, Schettino's actions drew widespread condemnation, particularly his decision to abandon the ship while passengers were still on board. His infamous exchange with Captain Gregorio De Falco, who urged him to return to the ship, became a symbol of his negligence. The audio of De Falco's command, "Go aboard, damn it!" resonated around the world, highlighting the chaos of that night.
As the news of Schettino's renouncement of semi-liberty spreads, reactions from survivors and victims' families have been swift and emotional. Vanessa Brolli, a survivor of the Costa Concordia disaster, expressed her dismay at the possibility of Schettino being granted any form of leniency. "It’s upsetting to think he could return home. He must pay for his actions," she said, recalling the terror of that night and the loss of life. Brolli, who was just 14 at the time, remembered her father's heroism as he helped her escape from the sinking ship.
Giovanni Girolamo, the father of one of the victims, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Schettino should serve multiple life sentences for the lives lost. "For me, he is a man who should be in prison for 32 life sentences, one for each victim," he asserted, emphasizing the gravity of the tragedy and the pain still felt by those who lost loved ones.
Mario Pellegrini, who was the deputy mayor of Isola del Giglio during the disaster, recounted the harrowing events of that night. He described the shock of seeing the massive ship capsized and the frantic efforts to rescue passengers. "Everything began with a call from the carabinieri about a ship in distress. I rushed to help, and what I saw was horrifying," he recalled. Pellegrini acknowledged the complexities of the legal situation surrounding Schettino but maintained that the voices of victims' families should weigh heavily in any decisions regarding his potential release.
As the legal proceedings surrounding Schettino continue to unfold, the impact of the Costa Concordia disaster remains a poignant reminder of the tragedy and loss that occurred that fateful night. With the withdrawal of his request for semi-liberty, Schettino remains behind bars, and the question of his future continues to linger in the minds of many.
