A court in Vicenza on Wednesday
upheld the arrest of a young Cuban man who was grabbed by the
neck by a police officer during an incident in the city.
The case caused concern after a video in which a cop is seen to
briefly put the man in a headlock during an altercation
following a stop check did the rounds on social media.
The 21-year-old Cuban man is accused of violence and resisting
arrest.
While upholding the arrest, the court said the man was free from
custody and set a hearing for September 18.
Vicenza Police Chief Antonino Messineo, meanwhile, said
Wednesday that an internal inquiry has been opened into the
incident.
He said the inquiry would looking into the evidence of "many
witnesses and videos. not just those on social media and of the
friends of the young man, but also from other sources, such as
security video cameras.
"None of my men have racist behaviour," Messineo added.
"There is the use of force, but not gratuitous violence".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA