ITALY-LIBYA: ITALIAN 'FRECCE TRICOLORI' CELEBRATE DICTATORSHIP - D'ELIA

August 24, 2009: 'The economic cost of flying the Italian “Frecce Tricolore” in Libya may be ridiculous, but the political cost is definitely serious for our country. How can we participate in celebrating the coup d'etat of a country that established a dictator that has lasted for forty years?' Hands Off Cain secretary Sergio D'Elia’s comment was in regards to Italy’s announced participation on September 1st at the fortieth anniversary celebrations of the revolution that carried Colonel Gheddafi to power in Libya.
'This not only legitimises but celebrates a regime that is characterised by the persecution of every form of political dissent, the incarceration or disappearance of political opponents, the massacre of migrants in jail and the practice of torture and the death penalty.' (Sources: Ansa, 24/08/2009)