Italian troops hit the streets to combat crime
LUCIA KUBOSOVA
05.08.2008 @ 09:28 CET
Italy's centre-right government of Silvio Berlusconi has sent troops to the country's major cities as part of a campaign to combat crime and boost security.
Some 3,000 soldiers are being deployed on the streets in Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna, Verona and Palermo this week in an operation kicked off on Monday (4 August). The move was approved rules by Italy's parliament with troops expected to be kept in place for nine months.
Italy's government is using the army to combat crime (Photo: wikipedia)
The military is due to patrol some of the most frequented public places to prevent street crime which has been largely blamed on illegal immigrants. Some soldiers are to be located close to immigration centres.
But the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, has decided to keep the troops away from the main tourist attractions in the centre of Italy's capital, such as the Colosseum or Trevi Fountain.
The government maintains the soldiers will assist police officers who will in turn have more time and personnel to investigate suspicious persons and locations.
"This is not a militarisation of cities but a clear response to the perceived demand for greater security," Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa said last week, according to the BBC. He added that the cabinet would review the operation after six months to see whether it has worked and whether it should be extended to other cities.
The country's left-leaning opposition has criticised the move.
"The point of this whole exercise is very clear. It is much more a PR operation than something substantial. Basically, it's a TV ad that will cost us a few bob but will achieve nothing," said Antonio Di Pietro, leader of the Italy of Values party.
Mr Berlusconi won a general election in April on the back of a campaign promising tough measures to curb crime and illegal immigration in Italy.
But his government has also been accused of raising the tension between Italians and illegal immigrants.
Last week, Italy formally asked the European Commission for its opinion on controversial legislation on refugees and immigration, including taking a census in gypsy camps. The legislation - still to be finally approved - would make illegal immigration punishable with a sentence of between six months and four years and would make deportation easier.
Brussels has previously voiced concerns over the census plans.