US govt 'acknowledges Italy concerns over Falcinelli'

The United States government has
recognized Italy's concern about the violent treatment of Matteo
Falcinelli, a 25-year-old from Spoleto who was hogtied by Miami
police for 13 minutes after being arrested outside a nightclub
in the Florida city in February.

   
"We acknowledge the concerns raised by the Italian government
and the Falcinelli family about the circumstances of Matteo's
arrest in Miami," a US State Department spokesperson told ANSA
when asked about the matter.

   
"We understand that the police have opened an internal
investigation into the case and we will continue to monitor
these developments.

   
"The US State Department works diligently to ensure that US law
enforcement agencies comply with their legal obligations
regarding notification and consular access when foreign
nationals are detained in the United States, in accordance with
the applicable national law and with international obligations,
in the same manner that we expect foreign governments to treat
U.S. citizens abroad."
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is among
those to have condemned the violence Falcinelli was subjected
to, saying he was "deeply shocked" by it.

   
Police Bodycam videos show the 25-year-old being slammed to the
ground outside a night club and then tied up, with his ankles
bound and his hands behind his back, at a police station.

   
During the videos Falcinelli can be heard to say "I'm not
resisting", "please", "I'm not doing anything" and, at one
point, screaming in pain.

   
Speaking via his mother Vlasta Studenicova to ANSA this week,
Falcinelli, whose case emerged over the weekend, said "I am
touched by the support I have been receiving in these hours,
also Italian citizens here in the United States.

   
"Now I want justice".

   

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