Riccardo Campogiani

Riccardo Campogiani, 16 at the time of death on October 7, was a Swedish boy who was beaten to death at a party in the centre of Stockholm, Sweden October 6,2007. [http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article955032.ab] Campogiani died at the hospital the day afterwards from the injuries sustained after a few blows to the head during the beating. Riccardo's death sparked a media sensation as five other boys in Campogianis age was accused of the murder, all of the boys received different sentences at a later date but because of their young age (all under the age of 18) none could be sentenced to jail time. one boy was released and not sentenced at all. [ http://stockholm.expressen.se/nyheter/1.994929/sparkade-riccardo-nar-han-lag-ner]

The Campogiani case was also special as it involved people from the Upper class areas of Stockholm, with both the murdered and the defendants coming from families of wealthy backgrounds.

The murder also became world news when Anton Abele received an award at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, as a result of the beating of Riccardo and his work against street violence.

Manifestations

Riccardo's death became headline news in Sweden with a number of celebrities manifesting their hate toward the street violence in Sweden. And with thousands of people walking the streets in support of Campogiani and against the violence in today's society. Anton Abele created a Swedish Facebook group called "Bevara oss från gatuvåldet” (Save us from street violence). In one week, the group grew to having more than 100,000 members. In addition, on October 12, 2007, Anton Abele arranged the demonstration “Stop street violence” with more than 10,000 young people and adults participating in Stockholm [ [http://www.thelocal.se/8775/20071012/ Tens of thousands to demonstrate against street violence] From thelocal.se] . Simultaneous with the massive demonstration in Stockholm, anti-violence demonstrations were also held in other major cities in the Nordic region.

Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden both paid tribute to Riccardo and the work of Abele, The crown princess also attended a memorial service for Campogiani. The Campogiani family had close ties with the swedish royal family and other high class society people on the Stockholm area.

References