GENOVA,Italy (2025-08-18 17:33:00) – A 41-year-old Albanian citizen died Sunday evening after being struck by a Taser during an intervention by police in Sant’Olcese,a hillside fraction of Genova. Elton Bani died of cardiac arrest following the use of the electric stun gun by Carabinieri.
Neighbors had called authorities, citing threats from Bani. “We called the carabinieri because he threatened us,” they told ANSA. “Before, we had called 118, but he also threatened the health workers.”
An investigation for manslaughter has been opened by the local prosecutor. the two Carabinieri who used the Taser are formally under investigation, a standard procedure allowing them to participate in the autopsy with consultants. The autopsy will determine if Bani’s death is directly linked to the Taser or if other factors, such as alcohol or drugs, were involved. Investigators will also examine whether the officers followed proper Taser protocols and if the responding Carabiniere had received adequate training.Ministry of the Interior directives stipulate that Taser use must involve a warning before firing, and officers must alert health authorities promptly after immobilization.
This death occurred just hours after a similar incident in Olbia, where a 57-year-old man, Gianpaolo Demartis, died Saturday night after being stopped with a Taser following an altercation with passersby. The two Carabinieri involved in that incident are also being investigated for manslaughter.The back-to-back incidents have ignited a debate over the safety and appropriate use of Tasers by Italian law enforcement.
“In a few hours, two victims affected by a Taser. Salvini, the League, and their allies can shout all they want, but it is indeed clear that there is a problem with this instrument that must be blocked simultaneously occurring,†stated Filiberto Zaratti, a deputy. Riccardo Magi, the secretary of +Europe, urged the Minister of the Interior to “immediately suspend the use of the Taser†for law enforcement, including municipal police, calling it a “too risky weapon.â€
On the other hand, Nicola Molteni, a League undersecretary, defended the taser, stating, “I defend the Taser because it has proven to be an effective and fundamental tool of deterrence and security, also for police operators, to avoid the use of much more aggressive weapons.†He added that the weapon has followed all protocols and that approximately five thousand Taser devices are in use by state police and Carabinieri. “We must not criminalize the Taser,nor the police,†Molteni stated,expressing condolences to the families of the victims and the officers involved.
Axon, the Taser manufacturer, noted that “to date, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating a direct cause-and-effect correlation between the use of the Taser and the death of affected subjects.†The company stated that Taser devices are designed as a non-lethal alternative to firearms and induce temporary neuromuscular incapacitation. According to Axon, independent studies show no permanent damage in 99.7% of cases, with minor injuries primarily from falls. Axon affirmed its full cooperation with authorities and stressed the importance of awaiting investigation outcomes before making evaluations.
Why it happened: Elton Bani, 41, died after being struck by a Taser deployed by Carabinieri responding to reports of threats made to neighbors in Sant’Olcese, Genova.A similar incident occurred hours earlier in Olbia, resulting in another fatality following Taser use.
Who was involved: Elton Bani, the deceased; Carabinieri officers involved in both incidents; Filiberto Zaratti and Riccardo Magi, political figures commenting on the events; Nicola Molteni, a League undersecretary defending Taser use; and Axon, the Taser manufacturer.What occurred: Two separate incidents within 24 hours resulted in the deaths of men after being struck by Tasers during police interventions. Both cases are under investigation for manslaughter.
How it ended: Investigations are underway, including autopsies to determine the cause of death and whether Taser use was a contributing factor. The incidents have sparked a national debate about the safety and regulation of Tasers in Italian law enforcement.
