Politics in turmoil over the Falcinelli case. Minister Tajani: “Unacceptable treatment”
A flurry of press notes, comments, indignation (from opposition parties), invitations to the Government to look into the case further
ROME – The arrest of Matteo Falcinelli shakes politics. Since the images of the violence suffered in Miami by the student from Spoleto were released, there has been a flurry of press notes, comments, indignation (from the opposition parties), and invitations to the Government to look into the case further.
MINISTER TAJANI: “PARTICULARLY VIOLENT PRISON TREATMENT”
The Farnesina began, sending the comment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. Matteo Farcinelli “was subjected to particularly violent custodial treatment, as witnessed by the same body cams of the policemen who carried out the arrest”. “For this reason, in addition to following the case and providing assistance to the family for the legal aspects, the consul general in Miami underlined with the local authorities the unacceptability of the treatments that the young man has undergone”, the ministry note specifies. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani “has already called for maximum attention to the case of the United States ambassador to Italy Jack Markell, recalling that the Italian Government dutifully follows every case of detention of Italian citizens abroad”. “Since the beginning of the matter, the Consulate General of Italy in Miami has been following the case of compatriot Matteo Falcinelli, arrested by the police in Miami Beach on the night between 24 and 25 February and released after two days”, continues the note.< /p>
MAGI: “IT’S TORTURE, URGENT INTERROGATION IN TAJANI“< /h3>
“The images of the brutal arrest of the Italian student Matteo Falcinelli, tied hand and foot and left face down on the ground by the Miami police leave us speechless: it is clear that it was not a normal arrest procedure but of a serious violation of the rights of one of our compatriots who suffered real torture. So serious that I am presenting an urgent question to Foreign Minister Tajani so that he does not come to the Chamber to report Salis case and intervene immediately”. This was stated by the secretary of Più Europa Riccardo Magi.
CUCCHI (AVS): “SERIOUS TORTURE EPISODE, GOVERNMENT ACT”
“The images that have reached us of the arrest of Matteo Falcinelli testify to an episode of torture on which I will ask ministers Tajani and Nordio to report to the chamber, to explain how they intend to proceed. Let’s not forget that this is not the only case recent in which the rights of an Italian citizen abroad are openly violated. I expect the government to make itself heard by taking the side of human dignity. Many organizations warn us about the steps backwards we are making on rights, globally. Police brutality is a phenomenon we must keep our eyes open to, even in Italy. I am worried that a culture of impunity is spreading which represents a very serious threat to democracy.” This was stated bythe senator of the Green and Left Alliance Ilaria Cucchi.
BONELLI (AVS): GOVERNMENT COME TO THE CLASSROOM ON TORTURE
“The shocking images of Matteo Falcinelli, the 25-year-old Italian student, arrested by the Miami police, brutally handcuffed and tied hand and foot speak of evident torture. The Government must intervene immediately in the chamber to explain the reasons for this barbarism who cannot be justified and protest to the US government for this unprecedented violence against an Italian citizen. Once again the American police have applied the Hogtie restraint that killed George Floyd. Shame! Thus in a notethe AVS deputy Angelo Bonelli.
LAURETI (PD): UNACCEPTABLE VIOLATION OF RIGHTS
“The images of the arrest of the Italian student Matteo Falcinelli in Miami and his mother’s dramatic story hurt and worry. A serious violation of rights and dignity, intolerable for a great democracy. We ask the Government to report to Parliament. We cannot accept the denial of the rule of law, wherever it occurs and towards whomever it occurs.” Thus in a note Camilla Laureti, MEP of the Democratic Party and responsible for agricultural policies.