On January 26th, 2012, Turin magistrates issued 26 arrest warrants in jail, 15 obligations to remain at home and house arrest for 42 activists charged with obstruction, violence, injury, aggravated damage during the demonstration of July 3th, 2011.

The Interior Ministry is announcing measures that could well transform these activists fighting the harmful effects of high speed rail into terrorists, or at least common criminals. It is a political strategy that unfortunately has characterized for many years the attitude of the Italian institutions toward activism and civil society. In the dossier on the NO TAV movement, the Italian authorities suggest an ad hoc interpretation of article 416 of the Penal Code, the conspiracy of terrorism.

Thus, arrest - even after the events - for those who commit crimes in public places, and a reconsideration of the offence of blocking road and rail services. Nobody appears to consider the reasons of the civil movement that is opposing the creation of the Lyons-Turin infrastructure in the Susa Valley, while the Italian government officials are constantly repeating, without hearing the arguments of civil society that "the work has to be done." However, there are health, environmental, economic and logistical reasons that would suggest that cancelling the construction of the high speed railway line would be for the greater good. The line, in fact, will cause irreparable damage to the environment, the destruction of the landscape and the devastation of the groundwater.

The excavations will cause pollution and dispersion of hazardous dusts (including asbestos and uranium), which will cause a serious increase in cardiac and respiratory diseases in the area. The NO TAV movement also reports the futility of the whole project (as there are already half-empty trains travelling to Lyons); the possibility of Mafia infiltration in the management of public funds in the sphere of high speed (like in all great works); the incalculable damage to the tourist industry and local employment when the new line is completed. Reasons enough to ask that EU Parliament and Council to intervene with the authorities and assess the health risks, environmental, economic and criminal damage associated with high speed rail in Val di Susa, and the institutional violations of the right to demonstrate by activists involved in the No TAV campaign.