Two British cousins have been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in Venice on Valentine’s Day. Italian authorities disclosed that the suspects, aged 19 and 21, were arrested following an incident where a 22-year-old local man was attacked outside a bar in the city center. The victim was taken to the hospital after being knifed in the neck near the Rialto Bridge following an argument apparently triggered by a dispute over a woman.
According to reports, the older cousin produced a blade during the altercation and then handed it to the younger cousin, who proceeded to stab the man as he walked away. Police suspect that the knife may have been disposed of in the Grand Canal, prompting authorities to deploy specialist divers to search for the weapon underwater.
The altercation reportedly began with a heated exchange in English, with one of the British men claiming the woman was his girlfriend. The situation intensified when the Venetian man intervened, provoking a confrontation that led to the violent incident. Polizia Di Stato confirmed the arrest of the two British nationals, highlighting that the motive behind the attack seemed to stem from trivial disagreements that spiraled into violence.
Further investigation revealed that the woman at the center of the conflict had been communicating with one of the suspects on social media before arranging to meet in person. The suspects, who had been vacationing in Italy since the end of January, were eventually located in an apartment belonging to an Italian relative.
Eugenio Masino, the lead investigator, credited the identification of the suspects to collaborative efforts with British authorities and the analysis of social media data. The elder suspect, believed to be a UK law student, was apprehended along with his younger cousin. The two were remanded in custody following a court hearing to confirm the arrests.
The British embassy in Rome confirmed that they are providing assistance to the detained individuals and are in communication with local authorities. Methods such as wiretapping, electronic surveillance, and social media monitoring were utilized in tracking down the suspects, leading to their apprehension and legal proceedings.
