Italy

Fifteen security officials convicted over Genoa G8 demonstration

Article published on the 2008-07-15 Latest update 2008-07-15 09:24 TU

Clashes between protesters and police in Genoa , 2001

A Genoa court has handed down jail terms of up to five years for abuse of detainees during the Genoa G8 protests seven years ago. Fifteen members of Italy's security forces have been jailed for physically and verbally abusing protesters that were arrested at the 2001 G8 summit in Genoa.

Those found guilty received terms ranging from five months to five years, with the heaviest sentence handed down to Biagio Gugliotta the inspector of prison police.

250 demonstrators were transferred to the barracks following clashes with police at the G8 summit of 2001, in which one person died in clashes between protesters and security forces.

The charges were that the 15 had participated in abuse of protesters at the Bolzaneto barrracks outside Genoa. Several women were forced to strip naked in the presence of male officers.

Speaking after the verdict on Monday, prosecutor Vittorio Ranieri Miniati said there had been recognition that "something serious happened at the barracks".

He said he had not decided if he would appeal the decision to acquit 30 other suspects.

The convictions come after an earlier trial sentenced 24 protesters to terms of between five months and eleven years.

A third trial continues in which 29 police and prison staff are accused of beating detainees.