Meloni says cop who killed man near Rimini must get award

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 9 - A police officer who is being probed for excessive self defence after he shot and killed a man who was attacking him after stabbing four people near Riimini on New Year's Eve should get an award for doing his duty, Premier Giorgia Meloni said Thursday.
    "I have asked the Carabinieri to cover the costs of Marshal (Luciano) Masini's defence and I intend to ask (Carabinieri Commander) General Salvatore Luongo to give Marshal Masini an award," the premier told a start of the year press conference.
    "Marshal Masini is a person who did his duty.
    "We must address the issue that the police fear to do their job, and often endure an ordeal.
    "An in-depth investigation must be done, to put an end to a phenomenon that we have seen several times".
    Masini said through his defence attorney: "I am very happy and I listened with a deep sense of gratitude to the words of Prime Minister Meloni.
    "I would like to thank the institutions for the attention they have reserved for me", said the Carabinieri officer who said he was moved by what Meloni had to say about him. (ANSA).