Hundreds protest in London over police violence at G8

About 200 people rallied outside the Italian embassy in London today to protest alleged police brutality against anti-globalisation…

About 200 people rallied outside the Italian embassy in London today to protest alleged police brutality against anti-globalisation demonstrators at this month's Group of Eight summit in the Italian city of Genoa.

The protesters also marched past the US Embassy to protest Washington's rejection of the Kyoto Protocol aimed at combating global warming.

A police spokesman said the demonstration, called by the organisation Globalise Resistance, had been peaceful and no arrests were made.

A British man held for four days after last week's demonstrations in Genoa took part in the protest.

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Norman Blair, 38, who says he was "kidnapped and tortured by the Italian state," said Britain was not doing enough to pursue his case with the Italians.

Mr Blair and three other Britons said they planned to take legal action against the Italian police after being held in cells for four days with no access to consular officials or their families.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said yesterday he may make an official complaint to Italy over the treatment of the British protesters, although he said he was satisfied "so far" with Italian assurances that complaints about police brutality would be investigated "properly and independently".

Hundreds also marched through the German capital of Berlin today to protest the alleged police violence during the summit.

AFP