27th G8 summit

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Official group portrait.

The 27th G8 summit took place in Genoa, Italy, in July 2001. The summit was overshadowed by riots in the city after a crackdown by police targeting anti-globalization groups and the death of a 23 year-old protestor, Carlo Giuliani, leading some to talk of a deliberately followed strategy of tension.

1 Protests
- 1.1 Injuries and deaths
- 1.2 Charges
2 See also
3 External links

[edit] Protests

Protestors on the Streets

The Genoa Group of Eight Summit protest, from July 18 to July 22, 2001, was a dramatic protest, drawing some 300,000 demonstrators. Dozens were hospitalized following clashes with police and night raids by security forces on two schools housing activists and independent journalists. People taken into custody after the raids have alleged severe abuse at the hands of police.

Demonstrators have accused the police of brutality and denying them their right to non-violent protest. They believe that G8 summits are non-legitimate attempts by eight of the world's most powerful governments to set the rules for the planet at large. Police and many politicians have argued that attempting to blockade a meeting is in itself a violent event and an attempt to impede the workings of democratically elected governments. The center-right Italian government led by Premier Silvio Berlusconi insists that police used the minimum amount of force necessary to achieve their goals. It says that the protestors' claims are exaggerated.

The G8 meeting was held inside a "Red Zone" in the center of town that had been declared off-limits for non-residents and surrounded by a barricade, leaving protesters no chance to communicate with summit delegates. Fears of terrorist attack at the time had also led to an air exclusion zone around the city, as well as the stationing of anti-aircraft missiles. Only one activist, Valerie Vie, secretary of a French branch of ATTAC, managed to publicly breach the Red Zone barrier, but was immediately stopped by police agents. There were also several border riots ahead of the summit, as police attempted to prevent suspected activists from entering Italy. The Italian government suspended the Schengen treaty for the duration of the G8 summit, in order to monitor the movement of the many protesters arriving from across the European Union.

[edit] Injuries and deaths

Many demonstrators were injured and dozens more arrested over the course of the event. Most of those arrested were charged with "criminal conspiracy to commit destruction", but they were all released shortly thereafter because judges declared the charges invalid. Police continued to raid social centers, media centers, union buildings and legal offices across Italy after the summit as part of ongoing investigations. Over 400 protestors were injured during the clashes. Twenty-five people are currently standing trial for property damage and looting during the events.

On Friday July 20, a 23-year-old protestor Carlo Giuliani of Genoa, was shot dead by a Carabinieri officer during clashes with police. Images show he was about to hurl a fire extinguisher into their jeep, or may possibly have been himself holding up the fire extinguisher in a defensive position against attack from within the Jeep [1]. The Carabiniere was acquitted from any wrong-doing, as judges determined he shot for legitimate defence.

Activist Susanne Bendotti was struck by a vehicle and killed while attempting to cross the French-Italian border at Ventimiglia to get to the Genoa demonstration [2].

Genoa demonstrator and labor unionist Maria Jose Olivastri was found naked and strangled in Padua shortly after the summit. Her death was not found to be politically motivated [3].

Genoa demonstrator Edoardo Parodi, a close friend of Carlo Giuliani, died after Genoa after experiencing severe health problems possibly related to the police use of CS gas during the event, or possibly related to the use of CS gas during the demonstration against the World Economic Forum which he also attended.

Rumors of further deaths and Genoa demonstrators who remain missing after the summit continue to circulate.

[edit] Charges

Numerous police officers and local and national officials have been ordered to stand trial in connection with the event. In one trial, 28 police officials are standing trial on charges related to the two night raids, charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, use of excessive force and planting evidence. In other proceedings, 45 state officials, including prison guards, police and medics, are being tried for abusing detainees in their custody who were arrested during the raid. Detainees reported being spat at, verbally and physically humiliated, and threatened with rape.

Following the event it has been reported that certain police admitted to planting Molotov cocktails in order to justify the Diaz School raids, as well as faking the stabbing of a police officer to frame activists [4].

Police conducted nighttime raids upon centers housing protestors and campsites, most notably the attacks on the Diaz-Pascoli and Diaz-Pertini schools shortly after midnight on July 21. These were being used as sleeping quarters, and had also been set up as centers for those providing media, medical, and legal support work. Police baton attacks left three activists, including British journalist Mark Covell, in comas. At least one person has suffered brain damage, while another had both jaws and fourteen teeth broken. In total, over 60 were severely injured and a parliamentary inquiry was launched [5]. It concluded no wrongdoing on the part of police.

Ninety-three people were arrested during the raids. In May, 2003, Judge Anna Ivaldi concluded that they had put up no resistance whatsoever to the police and all charges were dropped against them.

In 2005, twenty-nine police officers were indicted for grievous bodily harm, planting evidence and wrongful arrest during a night-time raid on the Diaz School. A further 45 state officials, including police officers, prison guards and doctors, were charged with physically and mentally abusing demonstrators held in a detention centre in the nearby town of Bolzaneto.