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A photograph of a female protester kissing an Italian riot policeman, hailed as an emblematic image of peace in Italy, has failed to impress a police union – it 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.

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The photograph went around the world and was quickly held up as an example of non-violent protest, until COISP, a union representing Italian police officers, announced that it had lodged a complaint with Turin prosecutors.

If the policeman had kissed her, world war three would have broken out

“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.