One of the victims of alleged police
brutality in Verona that led to the arrest of five police
officers including an inspector on Tuesday was used as a floor
rag to mop up urine, case documents have shown.
In one episode two of the suspects are accused not only of
beating a person in custody for identification purposes but also
for forcing him to urinate on the floor and then using him as a
"mop to clean up", according to the pre-trial detention order.
"It cannot be denied that through their conduct all the suspects
have betrayed their function, suppressing the rights and
freedoms of people under their authority (and) offending their
dignity as people, creating disorder themselves and compromising
public safety, committing crimes rather than preventing them, in
this respect clearly taking advantage of their status, even
committing fraudulent misrepresentation in public acts with
worrying ease," wrote the preliminary investigations judge.
The five suspects are accused of crimes including torture,
bodily harm and abuse of office in relation to alleged acts of
violence endured by people in custody between July 2022 and
March 2023.
They had already been moved to new roles after investigators
concluded a probe into the alleged brutality.
Verona Police Chief Roberto Massucci also moved some other
officers from their roles on grounds they may have failed to
take action to prevent the violence or failed to report it.
"I thank the Verona prosecutors' office for the trust given the
the State police by assigning its mobile squad with the
investigation regarding officers from the same department," said
national Chief of Police Vittorio Pisani.
"The moral standing of our administration enables us to face
this moment with the dignity and composure of always".
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