The self-proclaimed "Veneto
Government" headed by Venetian separatist Albert Gardin on
Monday sent a letter to the Italian Premier Matteo Renzi
demanding immediate "delivery" of a "prisoner of war" into the
hands of "Veneto authorities".
Arrested Veneto separatist Luigi Faccia on Friday declared
himself a "prisoner of war" and later announced his citizenship
as "Venetian" when he appeared before a preliminary hearing
judge in a Vicenza prison.
Faccia is one of 24 Veneto separatists arrested last
Wednesday and suspected of crimes that include criminal
association for terrorism and subversion of the democratic
order.
Gardin wrote that "the Veneto Government feels directly
called into question".
"In fact, the resistance activity expressed...clearly
expresses a patriotic Veneto commitment to tackle the 'Italian'
occupation of the Venetian Republic. It is the duty of the
Veneto Government to take on the defence of patriots that act
honourably in the defence of the Venetian Republic," Gardin
said.
"Luigi Faccia, calling himself 'prisoner of war', declares
himself citizen of the Venetian Republic and not an Italian
citizen. A distinction that must be received, understood and
respected by Italian authorities," the letter continued.
According to defense lawyers Andrea Arman and Alessandro
Zagonel, Faccia read a statement to the judge saying: "As head
of the Venetian Liberation, servant of the Most Serene Republic
of Venice, I declare myself a prisoner of war".
Also included in last week's round up of Veneto
secessionists was former MP Franco Rocchetta, the founder of the
Liga Veneta (Veneto League) separatist party.
The Liga Veneta was a founding member of Northern League, a
federation of regionalist parties which has recently upped its
drive for greater autonomy for wealthy northern regions and
started calling for outright independence again, the original
demand of its early years.
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