Masturbation in public is not a criminal offence, rules Italy's supreme court

In their ruling, the apex court also said that the man should only be fined for his act, which is to be decided by the local court.

Rome: Italy's top court has ruled that masturbation in public is not a criminal offence even if it is done with the intention of being viewed by public.

According to a report in the Independent, the supreme court of Italy announced the judgement while dealing with a case involving a 69-year-old man who was accused of masturbating in the public in the city of Catania.

The ruling refers to the case in which the man identified as Pietro, was convicted after he was seen taking out his penis and masturbating in front of students at University of Catania. Following the incident, the accused was arrested and sentenced to three months in prison with a fine of €3,420.

However, while delivering the judgement on the case, the top court said that 'the act is not included in the law as a crime'.

In their ruling, the apex court also said that the man should only be fined for his act with the exact amount of the fine to be decided by the local court where he was initially sentenced.

Explaining their decision, the court said that the Italian parliament had last year passed a law that decriminalised the offence of lurking in places with many women around from masturbation point of view.