Anarchist Vincenzo Vecchi was arrested on Thursday, August 8, 2019 in France. The arrest was carried out by the French cops and (as reported by the scum media) was made possible by the contribution of the agents of the “Service for the fight against extremism and internal terrorism” and of the Antiterrorism section of the DIGOS of Milan, which through “a close investigative connection” with the French police were able to identify the comrade. Against him two European arrest warrants had been issued by the prosecutors of Milan and Genoa.

Vincenzo had been “on the run” since 2012, following the final sentence of 11 years and six months that was imposed on charges of “devastation and pillage, robbery and carrying of weapons” following Black Bloc actions against the G8 summit that took place in Genoa, Italy in July 2001.

On Friday, 27 September, the Rennes Court of Appeal refused the application for release of the comrade pending extradition hearing. A new hearing is expected in the next few weeks in the same court to decide whether Vincenzo will be handed over to the Italian authorities.

On 23 August, the court ordered further information to the transalpine justice authorities, before 10 October, to clarify various points concerning convictions in Italy. In 2012, the comrade was sentenced to years in prison for actions during anti-G8 demonstrations in Genoa in 2001. Vincenzo was also sentenced to four years in prison for his participation in an anti-fascist demonstration in Milan. in 2006. About sixty relatives and companions were present before the Court of Appeal of Rennes where his request for release was studied. On 22 August, the investigating chamber ordered a feasibility investigation for possible house arrest with electronic surveillance.

At the hearing, on the 27 September, the lawyer of the Vincenzo, presented new elements: “The two European mandates are false and inaccurate.” “We have added a document that shows that one of the convictions in Italy” (note: the Milan case) has been fully executed.”

The court eventually followed the General Counsel’s submissions and refused the release of Vincenzo Vecchi. He will remain in detention in the center of Rennes-Vezin pending a future hearing.

Write / contact address:

Vincenzo Vecchi
Centre pénitentiaire de Rennes-Vezin
Rue du Petit Pré
35132 Vezin-le-Coquet
France