Army called in for Italian local elections

Italy has stepped up security ahead of local elections on Sunday because of fears of an increase in political violence.

Several army battalions have been redeployed to guard key government buildings after the shooting of a key nuclear scientist at a unit of the country’s second largest conglomerate.

Police say they are investigating a group named the Informal Anarchist Federation which claimed responsibility for the attack in a letter to an Italian newspaper.

Around 400 sensitive buildings are having their security upgraded including tax offices.

On Saturday, two petrol bombs were thrown at the offices of Equitalia – the agency which handles tax collection – in the western city of Livorno. Multiple letter bombs have been sent to tax offices in recent months as officials clamp down on tax evasion.

The resentment has led to fears of a repeat of the 1970s ‘Years of Lead’, which were marked by violence and terror by far-left activists on the Italian political, military and industrial establishment.

SOURCE: http://www.euronews.com/2012/05/15/army-called-in-for-italian-local-elections/