The opposition, centre-left Democratic Party (PD) said Monday that it was filing a parliamentary interpellation to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to demand an explanation after police formally identified participants at a commemoration for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Milan on Sunday.
The small group of people were subjected to ID checks after gathering at the plaque in the city devoted to the memory of Anna Politkovskaya, the Russian journalist and human rights activist who was murdered in 2006.
"Why did they identify them? Had they been instructed to do so ?They were people carrying flowers," PD Senator Filippo Sensitold ANSA, saying the aim of the interpellation was to get answers "as soon as possible".
"Ours is a state of the rule of law, not a police state."
One of the participants in the commemoration, Marina Davydova of the Annaviva association, said she was astounded by the IDchecks.
"We didn't do anything wrong. We were talking. Our idea was just to ;;share the pain," Davydova said.
"We were amazed. The Italians (taking part) felt like they were in Russia.
"The Russians were very scared.
These are people who fled the regime in Russia.
"We gathered to commemorate Navalny, it wasn't a demonstration. We just wanted to leave a photo or a flower, about 10 people in silence.
"When we arrived, plainclothes officers were already waiting for us.
"After a little they asked everyone to identify themselves".
Piantedosi said the ID checks were no bid deal.
"It has also happened to me to be identified," he said.
"It is not something that restricts personal freedom".
Police sources said a series of misunderstandings led to the participants being identified.
The organizer of the commemoration had emailed the police about it on Saturday, saying only a very small number would take part.
The sources said a larger number actually turned up and the police decided to identify them as the organizer of the event was not present.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA