Italian police chief admits "excessive force"
Wednesday, 8 August 2001 22:45The Italian chief of police has admitted that police acted illegally and used excessive force during clashes at last month's G8 summit in Genoa. But Gianni De Gennaro suggested that at least some of the abuse was triggered by "guerrilla-style actions by violent criminals".
Addressing a parliamentary commission of inquiry, Mr De Gennaro said that illegal acts by police would be severely punished. During clashes in Genoa over the weekend of 21 and 22 July, a 23-year-old protester, Carlo Giuliani, was shot dead by police. In addition to this, hundreds of people were injured and more than 200 arrested during the three-day summit.
Italian deputies instigated the commission of inquiry to throw more light on the violence surrounding the summit. It has no judicial powers but will be able to impose disciplinary measures.
In a separate development, an Irish man, who was detained by the Italian authorities for 17 days after he was arrested at last month's anti-globalisation protests in Genoa, has arrived back in Ireland. Joe Moffat, a student from Drimnagh in Dublin, arrived at Dublin Airport shortly after 9.30pm this evening and is said to be fit and well.
He was arrested for allegedly having a Swiss Army knife in his bag when he was searched by Italian police. He was charged with being in possession of a lethal weapon.
