Rome, 8 June (LaPresse) – The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into allegations of sexual assault and attempted assault against Forza Italia senator Francesco Silvestro and a carabiniere, Antonio P., both of whom have been placed under investigation following a complaint lodged by a businesswoman. According to investigators’ reconstruction of events, the incident is said to have taken place a year ago in the parliamentary offices located in the San Luigi dei Francesi complex, in the centre of the capital. The woman – as reported by La Repubblica – told investigators that she had been sexually assaulted inside the parliamentarian’s office. The file opened by the Public Prosecutor’s Office also includes the name of the Carabinieri officer, who is accused of attempted unlawful restraint. According to the complaint, the officer allegedly arranged the meeting between the businesswoman and the senator and, following the alleged incident, tried to persuade the woman not to report the matter to the authorities immediately. According to LaPresse, the entry in the register of suspects was made at a public prosecutor’s office in southern Italy. Francesco Silvestro, in addition to serving as a Forza Italia MP, is currently chairman of the bicameral Committee on Regional Affairs. Investigators may summon both the senator and the carabiniere in the coming days to be interviewed as part of the investigation coordinated by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office.