Italian Supreme Court of Cassation (Corte di Cassazione italiana), Criminal Section I, No. 7140/2022, 1 March 2022

Culturally motivated crimes: use of minors in begging, respect for human rights and protection of minors

Art. 600-octies Italian Criminal Code
Art. 54 Italian Criminal Code
Art. 131-bis Italian Criminal Code

The cultural connotation of the practice of begging cannot lead to 'decriminalising' the defendant's conduct; the 'values' of the Roma culture are not relevant when they conflict with the fundamental goods recognised by the constitutional order, such as respect for human rights and the protection of minors.