The Rome Prosecutor's office is opening an inquiry into the case of an undercover police agent photographed last weekend while trampling on the stomach of a young woman demonstrator lying on the ground, judicial sources said Monday.
State Prosecutor Eugenio Albamonte, the investigating magistrate in charge of probing clashes that took place in the centre of Rome Saturday during a demonstration for social housing, is waiting for a report from riot police, the sources said. He also will examine photographic and video evidence.
The incident was caught on film Saturday, when dozens of people were hurt during the anti-austerity protests in the capital in the area between Piazza Barberini and the Via del Tritone. Police fired tear gas at hooded demonstrators who flung eggs, firecrackers and stones, injuring some 20 officers, according to authorities.
The young girl who was stomped on as her boyfriend sought to protect her has not yet pressed charges, the sources said.
Investigators are trying to identify her and the agent who was snapped putting in the boot.
After watching video footage of the demonstration, Albamonte confirmed the detention of two people arrested Saturday, identified as Lorenzo Marabina and Antonio Pompea, and ordered two others placed under house arrest, identified as Ugo Esposito and Simon Canca, aged just 18. All four will be interrogated at the Regina Coeli prison on Wednesday. Italian police chief Alessandro Pansa called the policeman "an idiot" for stomping on the young woman who fell and vowed to "identify and sanction him".
Saturday's march, which organizers said included 15,000 anti-government workers and students, turned violent when it reached the industry ministry.
Police said much of the clashes were provoked by organized protesters who, unlike the all-black-clad 'black bloc', were dressed in unmatched clothing, so as to evade police targeting.
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