(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 19 - Ex-premier Matteo Renzi, the leader of the centrist Italia Viva (IV) party, and 10 other people were acquitted by a Florence judge on Thursday over alleged financial irregularities regarding Open, a foundation created to fund his political activities.
    Former reform minister Maria Elena Boschi, former sports minister Luca Lotti, former Open president Alberto Bianchi and the businessman Marco Carrai were among the other people to be cleared.
    "I am almost 50 years old. The last five I have lived like I had the plague because of the unbelievable Open investigation," Renzi said via X.
    "It was an absolute scandal for everyone who had read the case documents, but, despite this, I was politically slaughtered by many, starting with (Premier Giorgia Meloni's right-wing) Brothers of Italy party and the 5-Star Movement.
    "After years of suffering today the news came: acquitted.
    "I have been acquitted, all my friends have been acquitted.
    "Today many people should apologise, Meloni and (journalist Marco) Travaglio first of all. They won't. Never mind". (ANSA).