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Interview with Marcus Covell. BBC Radio4 (26July2001 08:10 BST approx. 10mins)

simon wood | 26.07.2001 07:49

BBC Interview with Marcus Covell from his hospital bed (Wednes day night), Critisim of the policing. Interview with major of Geneoa. Interview with UK legel bod (who I can't remember the name of).

Interview with Marcus Covell. BBC Radio4 (26July2001 08:10 BST approx. 10mins)

Being concerned, but not paticulary being an 'activist', I've been following this story since the raid on Saturday night. I thought that the images and reports that have been posted on Indymedia and other news sites where bad enough....

That is until I heard it from the mouth of Marcus himself. I truely felt sick to the stomach. The emotions I'm feeling can only be a fraction of what Marcus suffered on Saturday night when he must have truely feared for his life at the hands of the Italian police.

I would recomend anyone who feels that this is not a serious issue to listen to the interview (hopefully BBC Radio will make it availble).

The second part of the section was with the Major of Geneoa, who said that many people in Italy where concerned with the police action and confirmed that the courts, council and some polititions have called for a public enquiry.

The third part of the section was with a UK legal person (sorry can't remember name) commiting on the case. He 'hoped' that Marcus could return home and file a complaint against the Italian police.

It was also pointed out that even in this country (UK) that in case of terrorist activity the police can hold you for several days without legal representation. So perhaps we're no better than the Italians in that respect.

Marcus, my heart goes out to you and you family. It is, unfortunately, only through the bravery of people like yourself that the truth comes out.

Simon Wood.

{to editors: I guess that this might not meet you editoral guildlines - this is the first time I have posted to Indymedia. Please feel free to cut'n'hack this article, but please get someone to report on the BBC's coverage - that interview must be out there someone on the web.....]

simon wood

Comments

Hide the following 14 comments

URL....

26.07.2001 08:09

looks like the URL is going to be:
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/

Simon W.

smion wood


THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!!!

26.07.2001 08:48

I am soo frustrated - all decent media is streamed off the web using Realplayer. I have to access the web through my employers server - which has a firewall which prevents the streaming of media direct from the web. Does anyone know how or where I can find either a facility that provides converting realplayer streams into mp3 files or similar so I can download the file and listen at my leisure?

I am missing out on ALL the movie footage and media streams from the IMC regarding Genoa. I missed a lot from Prague also and I do not want to missout again.

Can someone help me or is there anyone at IMC who can help me with this prob.

I woud be eternally gratefull

Love to all at IMC globally and my best wishes to the GSF victims.

Paxman


it's so good to hear Sky is alive!

26.07.2001 09:35

have been working alongside Sky in the indymedia center in Genoa all week and he is a great fellow and work-mate. i am so relieved to hear he is not in coma any more and having contact to the world again, as we all had to leave genoa in half panic without being able to contact him.

marion


firewalls

26.07.2001 09:52

Sorry, but the BBC don't attach you directly to the video stream but through a redirector file. This to stop folk downloading thr files. The BBC guard their copyright material quite jealously. You could ask your Network Admin if he could open the firewall for User Datagram Protocol packets on the port that real streams on (probably port 80).

ewige blumenkraft


mjarsk


exact url for INTERVIEW

26.07.2001 10:23

pnm://rm.bbc.co.uk/radio4/live/today4_20010726.ra?title="Exclusive! The first interview with the British protestor still in a Genoa hospital"&start="00:08:52.8"&end="00:16:10"

do 'open location' from your realPlayer
and paste above address as one line

...
mail e-mail: ...
- Homepage: ...


Powerful interview

26.07.2001 11:11

This is a powerful interview and should be heard..when Skys voice began to break with emotion describing his bones breaking..my own eyes welled up in tears.

Well done BBC for getting in there and giving Sky a voice!

Undercurrents
mail e-mail: underc@gn.apc.org
- Homepage: http://www.undercurrents.org/g8.htm


The corporate media were in the same boat

26.07.2001 12:26

This is why the story has managed to get out - because too many corporate media journalists got a beating
too.

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1457000/1457920.stm

Thursday, 26 July, 2001, 11:45 GMT 12:45 UK
G8 Britons tell of police 'brutality'

The protesters may consider seeking compensation

Five Britons held by Italian police after the G8 demonstrations in Genoa have described how they were beaten unconscious by officers, and had to endure inhumane conditions.
Four of the activists arrived back at Heathrow on Thursday after being released without charge and deported from Milan.

The fifth, still in hospital in Genoa with serious injuries, told the BBC he feared for his life during a brutal attack by police on Saturday.

Police indiscriminately batoned those present, mainly young people offering no resistance

Jonathan Neale
Statement on behalf of four protesters
The Italian Embassy told BBC News Online the cases were being investigated by judges in Genoa.

As Jonathan Blair, 38, from Newport, Daniel McQuillan, 35, Richard Moth, 32 and Nicola Doherty, 27, were reunited with their families, they released a statement.

'Unprovoked attack'

They said that had been asleep in a school building in Genoa when they were arrested.

They are angry at their alleged brutal treatment at the hands of Italian police and are frustrated at what they consider to be a lack of political action.

Jonathan Neale, of Global Resistance, said they were among 90 people held in custody after the police raid.

"Police indiscriminately batoned those present, mainly young people offering no resistance".

They described the place where they were detained as like a "field hospital in the Crimean War" where there were people with broken bones and head injuries.

"We were held in bare concrete cells for 36 hours with little food and in conditions of severe mental and sometimes physical stress, the statement said.

The Britons said requests to see lawyers were refused while passports and money were taken away.

They were then moved to another prison before being released after four days and banned from Italy for five years.

"We are angered about this degree of state violence against a group of people simply expressing their democratic rights," the statement continued.

They attacked Prime Minister Tony Blair for not criticising police violence.

An Italian Embassy spokeswoman told BBC News Online: "We await the outcome of the investigation by judges in Genoa about these cases."

But Italian authorities earlier defended the actions of the police, who, they said, were faced by a section of protesters intent on provocation.

But a police source has compared the operation to a "nightmare under Pinochet's Chilean dictatorship" and accused some of his colleagues of behaving like fascists.

He told the respected Centre-Left daily La Repubblica: "They lined them up and banged their heads against the walls. They urinated on one person.

We await the outcome of the investigation by judges in Genoa about these cases

Meanwhile from his hospital bed, Mark Covell told the BBC he will sue the Italian military police after he was arrested and allegedly attacked, which left him with a punctured lung, broken ribs and internal bleeding.

Mr Covell, 33, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme how he was surrounded by police outside the school.

He said: "I ran smack into a Carabinieri. I didn't stand a chance".

'No mercy'

"They were kicking me, punching me, hitting me with their batons and their shields.

"There was no mercy.

As he lay on the ground he says up to 50 more police officers kicked him as they ran past.

"It's a horrible thing when you hear your bones breaking inside you.

For four days he was kept under armed guard at the hospital as he lay recovering from his injuries.

Mr Covell, a journalist who works for a group that publicises anti-capitalist demonstrations, has pledged to begin legal action against the police.

He categorically denied he was involved in any street fighting.

Two other Britons arrested during the summit, Lawrence Miles, 25, and John Colin Blair, 19, originally from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, had earlier been freed by police


imc
- Homepage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1457000/1457920.stm


BBC Video / Audio reports (26th July)

26.07.2001 12:39

Spot on truth reporting FINALY!!!

G8 protestors limp home
One of five Britons arrested in the Genoa protests accuses the police of beating him unconscious and threatens to sue for brutality.

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1455000/video/_1456704_genoa12_rowley_vi.ram


Protestor Mark Cavell: "I thought I was dying. It's a horrible thing when you hear your bones breaking inside you."

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1455000/audio/_1456704_genoa08_covell.ram


Genoa City Councillor, Giancarlo Bonifai: "The city council is really concerned and the mayor expressed this concern."

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1455000/audio/_1456704_genoa08_bonafi.ram


Human rights campaigner, Lord Avebury: "I hope there is a mechanism .... for the police officers involved to be disciplined."

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1455000/audio/_1456704_genoa08_avebury.ram

Brendan Paddy, Amnesty International
"Force of the level being reported is not justified"
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1450000/audio/_1454843_genoa13_paddy.ram

mhor


We demand an ECHR case!!

26.07.2001 12:41

What we need is detailed written histories from people like Sky, Nicola Docherty and Richard Moth to be published all over the net and posted up in libraries and community centres throughout Europe - Each one of us can help by utilising the nearest photocopier and getting the word out - assuming these poor GSF people are not so traumatised that they just want to fade out of sight - for which I wouldn't blame them one bit - they have brushed with evil.

Rochelle's call for an ECHR case is the best way forward now, IMO - however long it took it would set a precedent for future protests and 'state activity'...

My very best wishes and prayers go out to all who suffered in the crossfire between the various and truly vile secret services and fascist dominated forces of 'law and order'.

It is worth bearing in mind that the US COINTELPRO programme trashed the left of Italy in the '60's & '70's without compunction...



mango
- Homepage: http://www.environment.org.uk/activist/


Words fail me.

26.07.2001 14:26

Amazing, frightening, disgusting. That's all I can say.
Cuz I just don't know what to say after hearing Mark's words, I really don't.
Well done to the BBC for listening.
Something must be done.
Near speechless.

deian


Coverage not for want of trying

26.07.2001 14:43

People have been trying to tell the world what happened during the attack for days and days, getting the truth out to corporate media takes time and energy and dedication.

Today the Evening Standard prints this story below - the paper is owned by same as The Daiy Mail, who seem to have gone oddly quiet on the subject after their frontpage "Armed Guard on Britain Who Led Riots" story about Sky on Monday... (see  http://uk.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=7604)


=================================
'G8 riot police nearly killed me'

 http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=426098&in_review_text_id=375144

by Patrick Sawer and Harriet Arkell

A Briton who says he was violently attacked by Italian riot police in Genoa today gave a horrific account of the beating.

His disturbing story came as a police source in Italy told how his colleagues savagely laid into largely peaceful demonstrators - including five Britons - during the G8 summit.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Genoa where he is recovering from a collapsed lung, broken ribs and internal and external bruising, 33-year-old Mark Covell said: "I really thought I was dying. It is a horrible thing when you hear your bones breaking inside you."

The graphic new evidence of police brutality drew a swift response - and a marked hardening in tone - from Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

A Foreign Office spokesman said Mr Straw had asked Britain's ambassador in Rome Sir John Shepherd to seek an urgent meeting with Italy's foreign minister, Renato Ruggiero.

"Our ambassador will be asking for these allegations to be fully investigated.

"We, of course, take seriously any suggestion that any British citizens may have been mistreated."

Both Tony Blair and Mr Straw have up to now avoided any criticism of the massive security operation at the G8 summit.

Londoner Mr Covell, who said he spent his time in Genoa "working on computers" and denied any part in the violent demonstrations, told Radio 4's Today programme he was with a media colleague called Sebastian when he was surrounded by hundreds of carabinieri and attacked.

He said: "I didn't stand a chance. I was immediately hit over the head. A carabiniere then pushed me up against a wall. I fell over and about 10 carabinieri proceeded to hit me nonstop for about five minutes, kicking and punching me, hitting me with their batons and their shields. There was no mercy.

"Then about 50 carabinieri charged past me. As they did that, each one came running past me and kicked me. Then behind me I heard this van crash through the gates of the school. More carabinieri started kicking me, for the third time. It was just endless."

Meanwhile, an Italian policeman gave an equally shocking account of how his colleagues beat up peaceful demonstrators, including five Britons, at Genoa.

His statement seems to confirm claims from Mr Covell and others that police ran riot as activists lay sleeping at a school being used by the protest organisers.

The policeman has compared the operation last Saturday night, in which 90 demonstrators were arrested, to a nightmare under Pinochet's Chilean dictatorship and accused some of his colleagues of behaving like fascists.

He told the respected Centre-Left daily La Repubblica: "They lined them up and banged their heads against the walls. They urinated on one person. They beat people if they didn't sing Facetta Nera (A Fascist hymn). One girl was vomiting blood but the chief of the squad just looked on. They threatened to rape girls with their batons."

The raid on the school followed a demonstration by up to 300,000 people against world poverty and injustice.

A small minority of anarchists attacked police, smashed buildings and set fire to cars, as they had done the previous day, when 23-year-old protester Carlo Giuliani was shot dead by a policeman.

In his anonymous account the police officer, a member of the Mobile Operative Squad, described the invasion of the school as a violation of the Italian constitution.

He said: "Some said it was a revenge raid, others that perhaps a precise order for it had arrived from Rome. The mobile squad from Rome carried out the raid. It was madness, for the victims, for our public image and because it risked an enormous backlash from the population.

"That night at headquarters people were swearing because if news of it got out to the 20,000 people who were about to leave from Brignole station there was the risk of an insurrection."

The officer said Genoa's Bolzaneto barracks had been transformed into a holding centre in the run up to the G8 summit.

He said: "The gates were constantly opening and as the kids came out of the vans they were beaten. I tried to talk to my colleagues about it but they said, 'Don't worry, we're covered'. Some officers tried to stop it and I'm ashamed I didn't try harder."

Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation of the raid on the school, the handling of the demonstrations and the shooting dead of Carlo Giuliani.

Among the Britons released without-charge were Londoners Richard Moth, 32, and his girlfriend Nicola Doherty, 27, both members of anticapitalist group Globalise Resistance.

Friends described the two, who both work for a housing association for people with mental problems, as "very peaceful people".

They were flying back this morning along with the other freed Britons, Jonathan Blair, 38, from Newport, and Londoner Daniel MacQuillan, 35, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

mh
- Homepage: http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=426098&in_review_text_id=375144


Story really broken now thurs fri

27.07.2001 10:58

Selection list of stories today - thursday:

G8 fallout dominates papers
BBC Jul 27 2001 email this

Berlusconi under fire over Genoa
BBC Jul 27 2001 email this

Britain joins questioning of G8 policing
The Times Jul 27 2001 email this

Protesters without violence
National Post Online Jul 27 2001 email this

G8 protestors may take legal action
icWales Jul 27 2001 email this

Italy promises full inquiry into G8 protesters brutality claims
Scotsman Online Jul 27 2001 email this

Italys strategy of tension
Guardian Unlimited Jul 27 2001 email this

Britons tell of beatings by G8 police
Electronic Telegraph Jul 27 2001 email this

Britons may seek compensation
Glasgow Herald Jul 27 2001 email this

G8 protesters reunited with family
icSouthLondon Jul 26 2001 email this

Fury over brutal Genoa police
Independent Jul 26 2001 email this

G8 brutality allegation
Channel 4 News Jul 26 2001 email this

Freed Britons relieved but angry
Guardian Unlimited Jul 26 2001 email this

The G8 play God in Genoa
Daily Mail & Guardian Jul 26 2001 email this

Outrage Mounts Over Police Action at Italy G8
iWon Jul 26 2001 email this

Italy Under Fire for Police Behavior at G8


pete


SKY

28.07.2001 11:21

I too am happy to hear that Sky is not only alive and well but considering taking action against the brutality of the Italian authorities and the police who sanctioned the behaviour of mindless thugs wearing uniforms.

Bal
mail e-mail: bal_muswell@yahoo.com