Arrest of Tiziano L. in Rome: counter-investigation refutes police version

On October 5, 2024, in Rome, Tiziano L., a 24-year-old student, is arrested during a demonstration in support of Palestine. Accused of assaulting a DIGOS (police) officer, he faces up to several years in prison. INDEX analyzed the videos of the incident: our findings contradict the police version of events.

On October 5, 2024, during a demonstration in Rome in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon, clashes broke out between demonstrators and the police. During a police charge, a 24-year-old student, Tiziano L., was arrested and accused of assaulting and kicking a DIGOS (police) officer. To support their accusation, the police added to the judicial file a series of screenshots taken from a video, in which a kick was, according to them, “clearly visible”.

Scheduled for November 14th, Tiziano L.’s trial has been postponed until December 2nd, 2024. For the offences with which he is charged, he could face several years’ imprisonment.

INDEX analysed the numerous videos of events in Rome available online and reconstructed the action in a 3D model, in order to verify the police officers’ claims. The counter-investigation, based on an in-depth analysis of the videos, belies the version of events presented by the officers on several crucial points, including:

• The origin of the accident in which officer Luigi C. and Tiziano L. fall to the ground is the result of an initiative by officer Luigi C., who tries to prevent Tiziano L. from leaving the fray.

• The available video footage does not establish that the officer’s fall was due to any intentional action on the part of Tiziano L.

• Finally, the images before and after the officer’s fall show that Tiziano L. did not kick Luigi C. in any way or mean.