FOGGIA – Two carabinieri were attacked in Vieste (Foggia) on the night between 10 and 11 May during an intervention to break up a fight between a group of young people in a car park on the Europa seafront. The one who hit the soldiers, who suffered minor injuries, was a 21-year-old who was apparently blocked with a taser by the soldiers and then arrested for violence against a public official. The other young people fled while the 21-year-old ended up under house arrest. Images of the arrest are circulating on the web and the use of the taser is criticized by many because it is considered excessive.
Mayor Giuseppe Nobiletti underlines that «there are videos circulating online about the incident, the attack and the subsequent arrest. Regarding the use of the taser during the intervention to block the young attacker, I want to underline that the actions of our military were totally legitimate, aimed solely at restoring public order and safety. It is essential not to fall into easy judgments and to understand the complexity of the situations that the police are faced with. I would therefore like to ask our entire community to unite firmly in condemning the violence and supporting our police.” «As a father and a citizen – he continues – I feel a strong invitation to promote in the family and in every context of social life a climate of respect and collaboration towards the institutions and forces of order, which every day put their own safety to ensure our safety.”
For the mayor «it is inconceivable that those who dedicate their lives to protecting public safety should be attacked in this way. I strongly condemn this act carried out by young people from Vieste and I express my total solidarity with the two injured carabinieri who had to resort to emergency room treatment, to whom I wish a speedy recovery.”
