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Italy police move to protect Roma | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Italian police are being forced to protect Roma Gypsies who have come under attack from local residents in Naples two nights running. | |
Makeshift homes were set alight as demonstrators attacked two camps. The disturbance was sparked by an alleged kidnap attempt by a Roma teenager. | Makeshift homes were set alight as demonstrators attacked two camps. The disturbance was sparked by an alleged kidnap attempt by a Roma teenager. |
There is deep suspicion throughout the country of the Roma community. | There is deep suspicion throughout the country of the Roma community. |
The government is preparing controversial anti-immigration measures targeting Romanians in particular. | The government is preparing controversial anti-immigration measures targeting Romanians in particular. |
The incidents in Naples began when a 16-year-old Roma girl was caught inside an apartment last weekend, allegedly trying to steal a six-month-old baby girl. | The incidents in Naples began when a 16-year-old Roma girl was caught inside an apartment last weekend, allegedly trying to steal a six-month-old baby girl. |
Her arrest has sparked two days of bitter protests. | Her arrest has sparked two days of bitter protests. |
On Wednesday night, vigilante groups in the suburb of Ponticelli took to the streets chasing the Roma out of two squatter camps. | On Wednesday night, vigilante groups in the suburb of Ponticelli took to the streets chasing the Roma out of two squatter camps. |
Molotov cocktails were thrown into makeshift huts as the Roma fled for the local police station. When they had gone, the two camps were torched. | Molotov cocktails were thrown into makeshift huts as the Roma fled for the local police station. When they had gone, the two camps were torched. |
Bad image | Bad image |
The Roma community is perceived they are responsible for a disproportionate level of crime. | The Roma community is perceived they are responsible for a disproportionate level of crime. |
In national elections last month, the centre-right coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi, which included the anti-immigration Northern League and the post-Fascist Alleanza Nazionale, swept to victory largely on its pledge to tackle illegal immigration. | In national elections last month, the centre-right coalition led by Silvio Berlusconi, which included the anti-immigration Northern League and the post-Fascist Alleanza Nazionale, swept to victory largely on its pledge to tackle illegal immigration. |
In Rome, Gianni Alemanno, also of the Alleanza Nazionale, was elected mayor on a pledge to expel 20,000 people. | In Rome, Gianni Alemanno, also of the Alleanza Nazionale, was elected mayor on a pledge to expel 20,000 people. |
Silvio Berlusconi has described the Roma and those committing the crime as "an army of evil". | Silvio Berlusconi has described the Roma and those committing the crime as "an army of evil". |
But critics say the government is stoking the suspicion and the reprisals, and last night the Vatican weighed in to appeal for calm. | But critics say the government is stoking the suspicion and the reprisals, and last night the Vatican weighed in to appeal for calm. |
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the head of the Italian bishops' conference, said fear was understandable, but it could never be right for people to take the law into their own hands. | Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the head of the Italian bishops' conference, said fear was understandable, but it could never be right for people to take the law into their own hands. |
Romanian Interior Minister Cristian David is due to arrive in Rome on Thursday to try and defuse the growing tension. | Romanian Interior Minister Cristian David is due to arrive in Rome on Thursday to try and defuse the growing tension. |
He has proposed sending Romanian policemen and prosecutors to help the Italians combat crime. | He has proposed sending Romanian policemen and prosecutors to help the Italians combat crime. |
So far in these attacks, there have been no reports of any deaths or injuries. But the people in the suburb of Ponticelli are demanding the Roma leave for good. | So far in these attacks, there have been no reports of any deaths or injuries. But the people in the suburb of Ponticelli are demanding the Roma leave for good. |
The 16-year-old girl is now on remand on suspicion of kidnap. | The 16-year-old girl is now on remand on suspicion of kidnap. |
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