Fascist salute at Priebke funeral
(ANSA) – Rome, October 15 – A far-right extremist gave a Fascist salute Tuesday as protesters shouted “murderer” and demonstrated against the funeral of a Nazi Second World War criminal near Rome.
Supporters of former SS officer Erich Priebke gathered outside St. Pius X church in Albano and faced off against demonstrators who were angry that their community was the site of the controversial service.
Police separated the two sides and one demonstrator fainted amidst the turmoil as some tried to attack a Lefebvrian priest who struggled to enter the church as the crowd jostled and jeered at him.
The woman who collapsed was assisted by police and given medical treatment.
The Lefebvrian order or Society of Saint Pius X, founded in 1969, is itself no stranger to controversy as it disagrees with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. A Lefebvrian bishop famously denied the Holocaust before being ejected.
During the melee, others kicked at the hearse and shouted “executioner” as it arrived carrying Priebke’s remains.