Brescia, Italy – Lawyers representing climate and human rights activists have filed a formal complaint against the Brescia Police Precinct, alleging unlawful detention, degrading treatment, and gender-based violence during the handling of a peaceful protest earlier this year.
On 7 April 2025, attorneys for Extinction Rebellion Italy submitted a complaint to the Brescia Public Prosecutor, citing violations of the Italian Criminal Code following the detention of 22 activists on 13 January. The activists, affiliated with Extinction Rebellion, Last Generation (Ultima Generazione), and Palestina Libera, were protesting outside the offices of defense contractor Leonardo S.p.A. in opposition to Italy’s alleged complicity in the Gaza conflict.
According to the complaint, the demonstrators were detained for approximately seven hours—despite presenting no resistance to identification—raising concerns of a violation under Article 349 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which permits identity checks only in specific circumstances.
While in custody, the activists were reportedly denied contact with lawyers or family, and their personal belongings were confiscated. Particularly alarming are allegations from seven women human rights defenders who say they were subjected to invasive strip searches without legal justification. According to the complaint, they were ordered to remove their underwear and squat, with bathroom use monitored under open-door conditions. Legal representatives argue this violates Articles 605 (unlawful deprivation of liberty), 609 (sexual violence through degrading searches), and 610 (coercion) of the Penal Code.
The activists were later charged with “seditious assembly” (Art. 655), and some faced additional charges, including property defacement (Art. 639), use of hazardous materials (Art. 703), and failure to notify authorities of the protest (Art. 18, Public Safety Law). Seventeen of them received fogli di via—expulsion orders banning them from the city of Brescia for periods ranging from six to 18 months.
International human rights watchdog Front Line Defenders has called on the Brescia Public Prosecutor’s Office to ensure a full, independent investigation into the claims, and to hold accountable any officers found to have committed or overseen the alleged abuse.
The group also expressed concern over the broader context: the recent approval of a government decree replacing Draft Law 1236 (formerly 1660), which Front Line Defenders warns could expand the criminalisation of peaceful activism and allow security personnel under investigation to remain on active duty. The decree, adopted by the Council of Ministers on 5 April 2025, must now be ratified by Parliament within 60 days.
“This case underscores the increasingly hostile environment faced by climate activists and human rights defenders in Italy,” the organisation said in a public statement.
Sources:
- Front Line Defenders (frontlinedefenders.org)
- Italian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure (normattiva.it)
- Official complaint documents filed by Extinction Rebellion Italy, 7 April 2025
