Unacceptable violence against police in Turin - Piantedosi

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 29 - Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has described as "unacceptable" Wednesday's attack by anarchists on a police car outside police headquarters in Turin.
    Speaking late on Wednesday evening, Piantedosi said he was "outraged" by the "unacceptable act of violence", which he said was "symptomatic of the current climate of venom and suspicion against the forces of law and order and the Police".
    "I will do my utmost in every forum to affirm the dignity and honour of servants of the State who contribute to affirming the values of freedom and democracy on a daily basis, even at risk to their own safety," he added.
    Piantedosi's comments came after anarchists and members of leftist social centres attacked a patrol car outside police headquarters in Turin on Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to prevent a Moroccan national from being taken to a nearby pre-removal detention centre for repatriation.
    Members of the group of around 50 people kicked and punched the car and tried to open the doors before police intervened.
    The group then moved in a procession towards the nearby 18 December Square, damaging passing cars on the way.
    On Wednesday President Sergio Mattarella also called the chief of police to express solidarity with the officers in the patrol car that was attacked and to reiterate his confidence in and closeness to the force.
    The police have come under scrutiny after officers baton-charged pro-Palestinian demonstrators including many students in Pisa, Florence and Catania last Friday, eliciting a reprimand from Mattarella.
    In Pisa, five protesters were hospitalised as a result of the violence.
    "We are only dealing with isolated cases that are being assessed and there has never been any change of strategy in a more restrictive sense in the management of public order," said Piantedosi at the time, also recalling that "in past years similar incidents have occurred with even more serious incidents". (ANSA).