Dozens of separatists sent to trial (2)

(ANSA) - Brescia, June 26 - A Brescia judge on Monday sent 48 Veneto and Lombardy separatists to trial for allegedly organising an attempted illegal occupation of St Mark's Square in Venice with a customised tank in 2014. The trial will start October 31. Prosecutors had asked for 34 of the suspects to be indicted and for the case against 13 others to be dropped.
    The Brescia judge downscaled charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism and subversion to those of forming a subversive group.
    The former leader of the Pitchforks anti-government movement, Lucio Chiavegato, one of the 48, said "this decision is a disgrace, I feel like escaping to Uzbekistan".
    The plotters' first meeting took place in Brescia while they built their armoured 'Tanko' vehicle in Padua.