Italian
student
protester
has been
charged
with
séxual
assault
after she
was pictured kíssing a riot police officer's helmet
during a demonstration last month.
The photograph of Nina De Chiffre subsequently
went viral on social media and was hailed as a
symbol of peaceful protest in the country
The 20-year-old student was photographed kíssing
officer Salvatore Piccione during a protest against a
planned rail link in Northern Italy.
Construction of the high-speed line is expected to
reduce journey time from Milan to Paris from seven
to four hours.
The photograph of Nina De Chiffre subsequently
went viral on social media and was hailed as a
symbol of peaceful protest in the country.
However, COISP, a union representing Italian police
officers, later revealed that they had lodged a
complaint with Turin prosecutors.
Franco Maccari, the union's general secretary told
La Repubblica: "We have accused the protester of
séxual violence and insulting a public official.
"If the policeman had kíssed her, World War III
would have broken out," he said.
"Or what if I had patted her on the behind? She
would have been outraged. So if she does that to a
man on duty, should it be tolerated?", he added.
"A kíss is a positive thing," he said. "But in this
context, between these two people, it was just
disrespect."
It later emerged that Nina De Chiffre had not only
kíssed the officer but had also licked her fingers
and touched his mouth.
According to reports the protester has since been
charged with "séxual violence" and causing
"offence to a public official".
Riot officer Salvatore Piccione said: “ When I'm
wearing my uniform I represent the police
institution, and I have an obligation not to react to
provocation."
"The important thing is that, in the end, the
demonstration went ahead without disturbance.”
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