Italy court upholds G8 police conviction

Italy’s Supreme Court has upheld the convictions of seven police officers and doctors found guilty of beating protesters during the G8 summit in Genoa in 2001.

On Friday, the court confirmed the sentences, ranging from one to four years in prison, handed to the policemen and prison doctors in 2010.

The convictions relate to the abuse of more than 250 anti-globalization protestors detained by police at the nearby Bolzaneto barracks.

Protesters from Italy, Britain, France and Germany had claimed they were Many of those detained said they were physically humiliated, strip-searched, denied food, phone calls or access to consulates while detained.

However, all of those held at Bolzaneto prison were later proved to be innocent and released without charge.

A 23-year-old anti-G8 protester Carlo Giuliani was shot dead by a policeman in a separate incident during the G8 summit.

The 2001 G8 summit was tarnished by widespread protests and police brutality against anti-globalization protesters and several trials have been held since.