Fast-track Parmalat trial refused

The trial could now take years

An Italian judge has rejected requests for a fast-track trial for 29 people investigated following the collapse of the food giant Parmalat.

Judge Guido Piffer said prosecutors had not provided enough evidence for such a trial to take place.

The judgement applies to Parmalat founder Calisto Tanzi, as well as the Italian branches of Bank of America, Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton.

The trial could now take years to complete, observers say.

Prosecution blow

There will be no preliminary hearing - a stage which can take months to complete.

The decision has been seen as a setback for Italian prosecutors who had pushed for the trial to start in April.

They reportedly sought to indict under the fast-track procedure because they felt they had enough evidence based on interrogations of top Parmalat executives.

Judge Piffer has provided prosecutors with an opportunity to refile the charges under normal judicial proceedings.

The Parmalat scandal erupted in December when it was revealed the company had debts of 14bn euros ($18.4bn; £10bn).