Anonymous Comrade writes

"23 Arrests for Genoa: The Wave of Repression Rolls Onwards in Italy Updated

Searches and arrests have taken place throughout Italy in the last twelve hours related to the investigation of the confrontation and property damage that occurred there during the days of the G8 summit.

The arrests were requested by the prosecuting magistrates Anna Canepa e Andrea Canciani, approved and ordered by the judge Elena D'Aloisio and carried out by the political police, Digos.

Unlike those arrested on order of the judges in the south, all of whom were released yesterday after twenty days detention, those arrested today have been charged with specific offences, including criminal damage, looting, manufacture, possession and explosive material, arson, carrying of improper arms and resistance to public officials. Amongst those arrested is a young Genovese barman Massimiliano Monai who was beside Carlo Giuliani when he was killed.

Nine people are now in custody, the others are under either house arrest or have restrictions placed on their movements and have to report to police stations.
Notably not a single police officer has been arrested or suspended for the wanton violence perpetrated against demonstrators on the streets, tortured in prison or beated without provocation in the Diaz scool on the night of July 21st 2001.

Those arrested range in age from 19 to 56 and interestingly come from a range of political backgrounds, so that at the same time as occupied anarchist centres in Milan were having their doors kicked down and their companions transported to prison in Genoa, the same thing was happening to 'Disobedient' former militants of the White Overalls at the Social Centre Pedro in Padua. Police allege that they were able to positively identify people by means of tatoos, piercings, clothging and in some cases simoly from the faces of those captured on video 'in action'. Rumours claim that these are only the first wave of arrests and that the number of people under investigation is between 400 and 500.

The raids and arrests took place in Genoa, La Spezia, Parma, Milano, Pavia, Lecco, Bergamo, Brescia, Padova, Rovigo, Firenze, Roma, Napoli, Avellino, Reggio Calabria, Palermo, Ragusa, Messina e Catania.

The response is already underway with demonstrations outside the prisons in Milan, Palermo, Parma, Catania and elsewhere. Further actions will be announced during the day. There is talk of a national demonstration in Genoa on december 14th."