Genoa G8, Saturday July 21, 2001
Diaz School / Police Raid
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The Diaz school events took place at the end of the three days of the 2001 Genoa G8 summit, in the Albaro district of Genoa. During the night of July 21, 2001, State Police riot units, supported by Carabinieri battalions, entered the Diaz-Pertini and Pascoli school complex, which at the time was being used as the press center of the Genoa Social Forum. Ninety-three people were detained. Sixty-three were taken to hospital, three in critical condition and one in a coma.
Among the journalists and activists staying in the school overnight, 82 were injured. Some were transferred during the night to the Bolzaneto barracks, while others were taken there directly from the school. The exact number of officers involved remains uncertain. Court documents later referred to an estimated deployment of approximately 346 police officers and 149 Carabinieri. The first journalist to enter the Diaz school after the raid was Gianfranco Botta, whose images circulated internationally. The scene was later described by deputy police chief Michelangelo Fournier as a “Mexican butchery.” A total of 125 police officers, including senior officials and unit commanders, were investigated. Criminal proceedings concerning the violence, procedural irregularities, and false statements relating to the events at Diaz and Bolzaneto continued over the following years. Many cases ended in acquittals, either because direct responsibility could not be established or because the offences had expired under the statute of limitations. In April 2015, the European Court of Human Rights condemned the Italian state and awarded compensation to Arnaldo Cestaro, one of the injured persons who had appealed to the Court, finding violations related to inhuman and degrading treatment and the lack of effective legal remedies. On June 22, 2017, the same Court again condemned Italy in relation to the Diaz events, finding the legal framework inadequate to punish and prevent acts of torture by law enforcement. |
File: ADG82001/0721-0008A
Description of footage
From: 02.39.10.00
High-angle wide shot of Piazza Merani, next to the Diaz school. The street is empty. A few people talking and walking in the square. Sound of helicopters flying overhead. A few cars passing.
From: 02.42.00.00
Large group of police in riot gear moving toward the entrances of the Diaz school, not visible in the image. Police vehicles occupying the street.
From: 02.42.00.00
Another group of law enforcement officers moving in formation toward the school complex. Helmets, shields, riot gear. Advancing quickly along the street.
From: 02.48.58.00
Police officer dragging a man away, one arm around the man’s neck. Baton in hand.
From: 02.50.10.00
Ambulances taking away the injured.
From: 02.54.50.00
Paramedics making their way through the crowd, pushing a stretcher quickly with a person on it.
From: 02.54.50.00
Police moving away, remaining in formation. Video camera lights on. Crowd shouting toward the police.
Description of footage
From: 02.39.10.00
High-angle wide shot of Piazza Merani, next to the Diaz school. The street is empty. A few people talking and walking in the square. Sound of helicopters flying overhead. A few cars passing.
From: 02.42.00.00
Large group of police in riot gear moving toward the entrances of the Diaz school, not visible in the image. Police vehicles occupying the street.
From: 02.42.00.00
Another group of law enforcement officers moving in formation toward the school complex. Helmets, shields, riot gear. Advancing quickly along the street.
From: 02.48.58.00
Police officer dragging a man away, one arm around the man’s neck. Baton in hand.
From: 02.50.10.00
Ambulances taking away the injured.
From: 02.54.50.00
Paramedics making their way through the crowd, pushing a stretcher quickly with a person on it.
From: 02.54.50.00
Police moving away, remaining in formation. Video camera lights on. Crowd shouting toward the police.