A local court convicted four
protesters for attacking a controversial high-speed rail
construction site in the Alps between Italy and France, and
sentenced them to prison terms of 3 years and 6 months each.
The Turin Assize Court acquitted the four, however, of a
separate charge of terrorism for the assault.
Dozens of activists campaigning against the high speed
railway project shouted "freedom" and "clowns," as the sentence
was read by the presiding judge.
Later a spokesperson for the No-Tav movement said the
ruling was an attack "by the powers that be" against ordinary
citizens.
Critics have said the high-speed Tav project will cost too
much and wreak terrible environmental damage in the Alpine
region.
But governments say it will reduce highway traffic and in
the long run, be good for the environment.
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