Italy investigates G8 violence

The streets of Genoa during the G8 summit

The Italian government has told the British Foreign Secretary that there will be an investigation into the violence at the G8 summit in Genoa.

However the authorities there are refusing to hold a public inquiry into how the situation was policed.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

Speaking earlier this evening the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said he'd spoken to sources at the highest level within the Italian government about the need for a thorough investigation into how the violence escalated out of contol, leading to accusations of brutality.

Hear the Foreign Secretary's statement by clicking on the audio link above, followed by analysis by our Diplomatic Editor Brian Hanrahan

There's also evidence that police officers organised violent raids on the centres where protesters were staying and began a deliberate policy of intimidation, even after the summit was over.

One British protestor who was arrested in the raid on the Genoa Social Forum and imprisoned without access to consular advice for almost four days has now returned home. We inteview him on his experience.

What emerges from the many stories is the unwillingness of the Italian authorities to allow prisoners access to the British consul.

Vienna Convention

Most people imagine that if you ask to see someone from your embassy, in Europe it won't be long before someone arrives. That's the requirement under the Vienna Convention.

But the organisation Fair Trials Abroad tells us that the Italians interpreted the law unfairly.

Here both interviews by clicking on the audio link above