Measures barring eight members of Rimini’s local police “Falchi” (Hawks) unit from public office, ranging from six months to a year, have been ordered by preliminary investigations judge Raffaella Ceccarelli as part of an inquiry into the officers’ conduct during interventions, particularly street checks.
The order was served to the defendants’ lawyers late on Saturday afternoon. The charges, which vary by defendant, include falsification of official records, bodily harm, defamation and unlawful coercion.
According to the judge, complaints and evidence gathered by the Guardia di Finanza (Finance Police) point to an excessive readiness to make arrests: even simple criticism of the officers’ conduct was reportedly treated as resistance to a public official.
Another issue concerns service reports and arrest records. The judge found that these were sometimes signed by officers who had not physically taken part in the operations.
The longest measure, one year, was imposed on senior inspector V.R., 51. Inspector L.S., 38, received a ten-month ban. Both are represented by lawyers Moreno Maresi and Mattia Lancini. An eight-month measure was handed down to M.B.M., 55.
For the remaining five suspects, the duration is six months: F.C., 30, represented by lawyer Piero Venturi; P.M., 66, defended by lawyers Marco Ditroia and Valentina Broccoli; G.M., 57, represented by lawyer Alessandro Petrillo; and J.R., 31, and L.C., 39, both defended by lawyer Maurizio Ghinelli.
The officers had already been reassigned to other duties, but the judge deemed this decision inadequate and belated, also criticizing the Municipality of Rimini.
During questioning, the suspects denied all the allegations. Their lawyers plan to appeal the measures, which do not represent a final determination of guilt.
The investigation also names two other officers as suspects, facing a possible charge of aiding and abetting.
