"By surviving the torture I went through, I won the most important match. Maybe my experience as a footballer helped me psychologically, otherwise I don't know if I would have made it."
These are the words of Mattia Falcinelli, the 25-year-old Italian student brutally arrested in Miami last February, entrusted to his mother Vlasta Studenikova.
The images of Falcinelli's arrest, shared on social media, have sparked a media storm and put the spotlight on the Miami police's intervention methods. Falcinelli's family denounces torture and abuse by officers, calling the incident "an unacceptable violation of human rights."
After a period of detention, Falcinelli was released, but his physical and psychological condition is dire. According to his mother, the young man is being treated by psychologists and psychiatrists, has suffered serious injuries, and has attempted suicide several times due to the trauma he endured. "He's in pain, very bad. They've destroyed his life ," says Mrs. Studenikova.
Mother: “I will go all the way to get justice”
The Falcinelli family is determined to obtain justice and has already initiated legal proceedings to file a complaint against the Miami police. "What my son went through must never happen to anyone else in the world ," the mother states firmly. "I will go all the way to get justice."
The Mattia Falcinelli case sparked a heated debate on police brutality and human rights. The case was closely followed by Italian and international media and prompted U.S. authorities to launch an internal investigation.
Despite the unspeakable suffering, the Falcinelli family does not lose hope. "Mattia is a strong and courageous boy ," says his mother. "He will overcome this difficult time and return to a peaceful life."
Solidarity for Mattia Falcinelli
In solidarity with Mattia Falcinelli and his family, several demonstrations have been organized in Italy and the United States. The hashtag #JusticeForMattia has emerged on social media , calling for clarification of the incident and for those responsible to be held accountable.
