ITALIAN MEP ARRESTED IN BRITISH CANNABIS CAFE CASE

LONDON, - An Italian Radical Party euro MP was
arrested in Britain on Thursday for civil disobedience, his party said
in a statement.

It said Marco Cappato was detained while appearing in support of
British Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies who was arrested last week
for civil disobedience while appearing in support of a local man
facing drugs charges.

Colin Davies -- no relation -- was arrested in Stockport in November
for supplying cannabis from his Amsterdam-style Dutch Experience cafe.
His brother Mark said he gave the drug away free to those who wanted
it for medical reasons.

"He (Cappato) heard about Colin Davies, and came over partly to
support me and partly to make a further gesture in support of a change
in the drug laws," Chris Davies said.

Chris Davies pleaded not guilty at Stockport Magistrates' Court. He is
due to appear for committal on January 29.

"I want a jury to consider the broader issue about whether laws of
this kind should be in place," he said.