Police Clash With Protesters Against Gas Pipeline in Puglia

Riot police scuffled with protesters opposed to the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Melendugno, southeast Italy, on Tuesday, March 29.

Other clashes happened the day before, and the protesters remained on site overnight.

Tensions were high outside the construction site of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, in San Foca, a coastal town of Melendugno, as workers began to remove dozens of olive trees in preparation to build the pipeline, which would deliver natural gas from Azerbaijan to Italy in 2020.

Several regional politicians, including mayors and city council members, also took part in the protest.

Puglia Governor Michele Emiliano said the region would appeal the Environment Ministry’s decision to approve the project, saying “the government is using the police to solve a political issue.” Credit: Stefano Fasano via Storyful