Decision handed down to Genoa G8 rioters

In 2001, tens of thousands of anti-globalization demonstrators attended the G8 summit held in the port city of Genoa, Italy. On December 14, 2007, a Genoa court deemed 24 Italians protestors to have engaged in various acts of rioting and sentenced them to a total of 102 years. Prison sentences range from five months to 11 year. The most extreme sentence was given to a 41-year old woman who is believed to be a member of the “Black Block” activist movement, a loose affiliation of alleged anarchist and radical groups trademarked by their black clothing.

The protests were plagued with controversy following the clash between police and a small number of “Black Block” protestors, which resulted in the shooting death of a young male by a policeman. Anti-globalization protestors were again visible during the last days of the Genoa trial, in which only one defendant was acquitted. There were no reported incidents of violence at the trial, which was closely monitored by police.

Francesco Caruso, a Member of Parliament who was elected on the communist ticket, and who was also among the protestors in 2001 disavowed the court’s decision, stating "It's a worrying repressive attack on all those who filled the streets of Genoa six years ago." On the contrary, Roberto Castelli, a Northern League senator, who was justice minister at the time of the riots, feels that ''Justice has been done.” However, Castelli, remains eager to discover the identities of the rest of the Black Block members

(From Ansa and BBC, by Tara Mancini)