Summary

Italian police in Brescia face allegations of degrading treatment after seven female climate activists from Extinction Rebellion claimed they were forced to remove their underwear and perform squats during questioning.

The activists, detained after a protest against Leonardo, an aerospace company, accused police of singling out women for this treatment.

Police denied misconduct, stating the procedure was to search for dangerous objects.

The incident has prompted calls for an investigation from opposition politicians amid debates over a controversial security bill targeting climate activists with harsher penalties.