A group of Syrian refugees in Italy have told Italian and Arab activists they were abused by the Italian authorities.
Activists broadcast a video on YouTube showing Syrian refugees detained in a confined space in the Italian City of Katanya.
A group of Syrian children who spoke to a media activist there said their parents were abused, and that some Syrian women were forced to take off their hijabs. Two men were also reportedly beaten, with one having his leg broken and another having his arm broken.
Another group of Syrian adults who were detained were shown attempting to talk to media, but were prevented by Italian police. The group then started screaming to grab the attention of the media activists. One screamed: "Bashar Assad is more honorable than you."
The video shows the Italian activists demonstrating outside the detention center, asking for better treatment for the refugees.
The Italian authorities transferred the refugees to an undisclosed location.
The detained group arrived as illegal immigrants after fleeing the war in Syria to Italy. Recently, many Syrians have been detained while trying to enter Italy illegally by sea. A large number have drowned off the southern Italian coast in the process.
Translated and edited by the Syrian Observer
......
