Advertisement

Veneto activists released from jail

The Local Italy
The Local Italy - [email protected]
Veneto activists released from jail
The group allegedly converted a digger into a tank, which they planned to use to attack Venice. Photo: ROS Carabinieri

A court in Brescia, northern Italy, has ordered the release from jail of seven activists who allegedly plotted to 'liberate' Venice with a homemade 'tank' earlier this month.

Advertisement

Those released are Franco Rocchetta, a former MP and founder of the Veneto League separatist party, Lucio Chiavegato, a leader of the anti-government Forconi (pitchfork) movement, Roberto Bernardelli, Riccardo Lovato, Corrado Manessi and Giancarlo Orini, Corriere reported on Friday.

Meanwhile, four others - Tiziano Lanza, Corrado Turco, Stefano Ferrari and Michele Cattaneo – have been placed under house arrest.

"It's good news from Brescia, but it's still shameful that they had to spend any time in jail just for their ideas," Matteo Salvini, the head of the regionalist Northern League, which has supported the movement, was quoted by the news agency Ansa as saying.

The men were among 24 arrested on April 2nd for allegedly plotting to take over St Mark’s Square in Venice armed with guns and a rudimentary ‘tank’ made from a digger.

They were arrested on charges of "terrorism conspiracy and subversion of the democratic order."

READ MORE HERE: Armed activists planned to free Venice with 'tank'

The alleged plan came after more than two million residents of Venice and its surrounding region in March voted overwhelmingly in favour of breaking away from the rest of the country and forming their own state.

The online poll, although not legally binding and open to manipulation, showed the strenth of separatist feeling in Italy's northern regions.

The call for independence has sparked similar movements in other regions in Italy.

READ MORE HERE: Why Italy might not exist in five years

Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also