A man who was paralysed in a brutal stabbing met with and embraced one of his assailants as he was released from prison.
Davide Simone Cavallo was set upon by five people on Corso Como in Milan, Italy in October last year where he was robbed of €50.
In the attack he was kicked, punched and stabbed and lost the use of his legs.
Two adults have already been sentenced for their part in the assault, while three boys who are minors are making their way through the juvenile courts.
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Alessandro Chiani, 20, was sentenced to 20 years for inflicted the stab wound and Ahmed Atia was given 10 months and 10 days for his part in what was described as a "savage beating" and part of a "reckless and unmotivated surge of violence".
Mr Cavallo has said that he forgives his attackers, and at a hearing for the three minors on Tuesday was filmed embracing them outside of the court house.
All three have now been placed into community custody rather than being sent to prison.
Mr Cavallo said: "All six of us are linked by a horrific event, every time I see them I know we can support each other if we want to and it seems to me that this is the path we've decided to take."
He had previously written an open letter in which he said he forgave his attackers.
In it he said: "When I learned of their age, apart from disbelief, my heart became heavy: I am sorry for every day they spend in jail, I am truly sorry. They are too young not to live out in the world.
"At the same time, so was I. Even now they can use their legs, feel them attached to their bodies, play sport. That's not to be taken for granted, I know that now.
"The hardest thing of all, perhaps, in all this is that I'd have extended my hand to them that evening, I'd have asked them how it was going, what they did, and if there was a way to genuinely help them I'd have done it because that is the way I am.
"They seemed like five guys like anyone else, who wanted to have fun, with whom I could have been friends. They didn't look like my pitiful future, they didn't look nasty.
"However, I try to understand. I don't hate them. I think I should, it would be logical, but I can't. Hatred isn't logical and neither am I.
"Sometimes I think that my heart has already forgiven a little bit what has been done to me, because I know how those responsible feel, or at least I like to think so, how much they probably suffer from it, how easy it is to do something incredibly stupid when you lose your way. If you are truly able to put yourself in the shoes of those you should hate, perhaps, you are also able to forgive.
"Some part of me, unconsciously, did this. I have compassion for them and I embrace them.
"To the lads responsible: I hope you will do something constructive with this time, I know it's difficult but there is no other choice.
"Have mercy on yourself, don't let what happened define you. You are not lost. You can still do many good things in life. Don't stop believing, your or I."
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