Italian embassies around the world are under attack over the case of anarchist Alfredo Cospito, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday. In prison, Cospito has been on a hunger strike for over 100 days.
Italian anarchist Alfredo Cospito is on a hunger strike to protest against being held in a strict isolation regime.
“We are increasing the level of security in all our embassies and consulates because at the moment anarchists around the world are mobilized against our state,” said Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani.
In December, a Greek anarchist group – citing the Cospito case – claimed responsibility for starting a fire in front of an Italian diplomat’s house.
The head of the Italian Foreign Ministry pointed out that since November there have been many attacks, acts of vandalism and demonstrations. Tajani said Italian embassies, consulates and cultural institutes have been targeted in attacks BoliviaChile, Argentina, BrazilSpain, Germany and Switzerland.
On Monday, Cospito was transferred from a prison in Sardinia to Milan, at the request of the national ombudsman for prisoners, to receive better medical care. According to Reuters, he has already lost more than 40 kilograms and is weakened to the point that he has difficulty walking and keeping warm.
Cospito in isolation
The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has ruled out easing the conditions of his isolation, stressing that he must not succumb to threats or acts of terrorism.
The use of an increased isolation regime, the so-called “41 bis”, is usually reserved for mafia bosses and precludes prisoners from communicating with their colleagues outside.
Cospito was placed under these rules in May 2022, having previously written articles from prison urging anarchists to continue the fight. He is serving time for the 2012 shooting of an energy company executive and the 2016 police academy bombings. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
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