Italy police on trial for G8 abuse

Wednesday, October 12, 2005; Posted: 9:43 a.m. EDT (13:43 GMT)

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ROME, Italy (Reuters) -- Forty-five police, prison guards and medical staff went on trial on Wednesday, accused of beating and abusing protestors detained after outbreaks of violence during a summit of major world leaders in Genoa in 2001.

It is one of two high-profile cases into alleged police brutality taking place this week, reviving bitter memories of the Group of Eight summit that saw fierce clashes with anti-globalization protesters.

Italian prosecutors say some 150 activists were kicked, punched, hit in the groin and dragged around by their hair at the Bolzaneto police garrison, after being detained during the summit. Some were forced to put their heads in toilets and bark like dogs, according to a prosecutors' report released in March.

Outside the courtroom in Genoa on Wednesday, a small group of protesters wore signs around their necks, with one reading: "Repeatedly hit with a club".

"The signs are from real testimony of people injured at Bolzaneto," said Enrica Bartesaghi, whose daughter was injured during the summit.

Police and medical staff deny accusations of abuse. Few were actually present in the courtroom on Wednesday and proceedings were quickly adjourned until November.

The 2001 clashes left the ancient port city of Genoa looking like a war-zone, littered with burnt-out cars and vandalized property.

One protester, Carlo Giuliani, was shot dead as he tried to throw a fire extinguisher through the window of a cornered police jeep. Giuliani's father was outside the Genoa courtroom on Wednesday.

Another 28 police face trial on Friday in connection with a violent raid during the G8 conference on the local Armando Diaz school, which served as a headquarters for demonstrators.

The clashes left bloodstains on the stairwells and walls.

"We're concerned that the people responsible might not see justice," said Bartesaghi, who runs the "Truth and Justice Committee for Genoa", a group for victims.

Bartesaghi said she was worried that none of the offending officers would ever actually go to jail because of Italy's slow trial process, which allows multiple appeals but also sets time-limits on how long cases can run.

Not only the police face court proceeding for their role in the G8 summit. Last year, 26 activists were charged with looting, damaging property, resisting arrest, carrying explosive materials and robbery.

They face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty.