Italian vigilante group investigated over fascist uniform

                       

An Italian vigilante group has unveiled a uniform very similar to that worn by Benito Mussolini’s notorious Blackshirt volunteer militia. The 'Italian National Guard' is one of many vigilante groups that will be sanctioned to start anti-crime foot patrols once a controversial security bill has been passed. The new law, which is expected to pass easily in the Senate this week, allows vigilantes to alert police to public order offenses or suspected criminals, but they do not have the power of arrest.

The Italian National Guard, which claims to have 2,500 members, sparked controversy when it revealed its uniform in Milan at the weekend. Members will wear a khaki shirt, black cap featuring a rampant eagle insignia, 18 hole leather boots, Latin motto and armbands bearing a black sunwheel very similar to a Nazi swastika. Fascist and Nazi symbols are forbidden in Italy, under laws passed in 1952 and prosecutors immediately opened an investigation into the group . Investigators said they would be speaking to Gaetano Saya, of the MSI (Movimento Sociale Italiana) party which was formed from the remnants of Mussolini’s party, and has links to the Italian National Guard.