Female protester pictured kissing policeman accused of sexual assault

A photo of a female protester kissing an Italian riot policeman hailed as an emblematic image of peace in Italy, has not gone down well with a police union, which wants the protester prosecuted for sexual violence. Nina De Chiffre, 20, a student who was protesting last month against the construction of a new train link in northern Italy, was photographed as she kissed the lowered helmet visor of a riot policeman. The photo went viral and was quickly held up as an example of non-violent protest, until COISP, a union representing Italian police officers, announced it had lodged a complaint with Turin prosecutors. "We have accused the protester of sexual violence and insulting a public official," said Franco Maccari, the union's general secretary. "We fully expect an investigation to start." Mr Maccari said he was not prepared to brush off the incident as a peaceful gesture.