Why Italy

Is Italy a Police State?

I lived in Italy for five years and was repeatly horrified by the brutality of the police there. Italy is a member of the EU and I am shocked that such behavoir is allowed to continue. Whenever this matter is mentioned to higher authorities in the EU they simply say that police brutality in Italy is not within their remit. If the police in the UK acted the same way there would be hell to pay. Why is it not the same in Italy?

Public Comments

1. I hope not because I like Italy.
2. I remember an italian policeman pointing his big machine gun at me! for no reason scary place
3. No it is not, I would be interested in knowing if they have yobs running through their streets causing mayhem and frightening people thought.
4. In Genova, Italy 2001,the government of Silvio Berlusconi imposed a veritable police state on tens of thousands of demonstrators protesting against the meetings of the heads of state of the eight leading capitalist powers (the Group of 8). On July 20, carabinieri (paramilitary national police) charged into a peaceful demonstration and as protesters scattered, they shot an “anti-globalization” demonstrator, Carlo Giuliani, in the head, rolled over him twice with a jeep and drove away. It was an execution. That night squads of riot police broke into the Diaz school which housed many protesters and the independent media center that was sending out news of the demonstrations. The blood-stained walls recorded the horrors that took place as scores of youth were brutally clubbed and hauled off to holding pens. As they were carrying out the attack, the cops repeatedly shouted “Viva Il Duce!” (Mussolini) and “Viva Pinochet!”
5. I like Italy and Italians too. I have heard some tales of the Italian police using excessive force though which is very suspect. Such as those people sleeping in a school who had gone to demonstrate at the Free Trade thingy... apparently the Italian police raided it in the night and gave them a violent wake up.
6. You're implying that UK or US are not police states? This has been a new craze since 911, the more human rights are abused the better you look in the eyes of EU.
7. I quess the Italian police does not take too much ****. I was in Italy, however I did not witness anything as described. I did however witnessed proper citizen attitude toward each other most of the tme.
8. I have many a friend in Italy this is the first I have ever heard may I ask you what part of Italy....email me
9. the term police state doesnt mean police brutality but that is a part of it.watch this link:http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=786048453686176230&q=terrorstorm
10. Italy has been, on and off, a police state, with its recent hisoty in that mould not so long ago. Brutality is a form of power, and many of those now in the policeforce/army in Italy were members of the 'old guard', and the brutality has never wandered far from the past. Watch other countries,for as the American influence, for example, enforces rule, banning marches against wars, the you will see the thuggery that can come out f a uniform.
11. During G8 in Genova in 2001 there was bad episodes of brutality by Police and Carabinieri. After, i never heard more. What did happen to u? My english is truly horrible. Sorry
12. I lived in italy for 48 years, and i wonder where you have lived instead. wanna tell me please? About these answers where they say that italian police has been not correct in Genova on occasion of the international meeting, before opening your trap to shoot bullshits you should go to Genova and ask the population who did what and you d probably change yr mind. This question is a nasty thing..email me and tell me where you lived and what happened or you will be reported(for what it counts,lol). Liar.