Algiers - Sofiane Siyoucef
The Italian ambassador in Algiers, Mikailli Giacomelli has been called by the Algerian foreign affairs ministry following what the ministry described as "insulting and unacceptable" handling of two Algerian citizens deported from Italy, who were sent back on an air flight from Rome to Tunis. Mr Giacomelli was called to the Foreign Affairs ministry headquarters, where he met the state's representative assigned to the case of the expatriated Algerians, Halim Ben Attallah, who informed him about the Algerian authorities' firm rejection of the "violent, insulting and unacceptable dealings" of the two Algerian citizens in an air flight that transported them from Rome to Tunis. "We will not tolerate our citizens being treated in such a manner, whatever the reasons are" said the foreign affairs ministry's spokesperson, Ammar Belani. Belani added "The Italian ambassador admitted the way our citizens were dealt with was neither reasonable nor acceptable", and disclosed that an investigation had been opened by the Italian authorities about the incident, in addition to being held accountable to the Italian interior minister by the Italian parliament." The Italian movie director Francesco Sperandeo issued a photo on his Twitter account, showing two Algerian emigrants masked, with mouths muzzled and wearing handcuffs. The photo caused an angry reaction from the Italian public. Italian interior minister Anna Maria Cancellieri said the police administration will open an "accurate and comprehensive" investigation about the incident that which has attracted the attention of European anti-racism organisations.