Italian anarchist’s hunger strike rekindles debate over harsh prison regime

Alfredo Cospito has lost 45kg during protest over solitary confinement and says he ‘just wants to live’

An Italian anarchist on hunger strike over a harsh prison regime usually reserved for mafia bosses has said he “just wants to live”, as his supporters reportedly threatened a serious attack in connection to his case.

Alfredo Cospito has lost about 45kg (7st) since beginning his hunger strike in October, and this week he was transferred from a maximum security prison in Sardinia to Milan’s Opera prison owing to his deteriorating health.