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Italy Deploys 500 Troops to Milan, Approves Tougher Riot Laws After Weekend of Looting and Clashes

Writer: Yossi Schmidt
Yossi Schmidt
15 hours ago
2 min read

Italy's government approved new security measures Tuesday that send an additional 500 soldiers to Milan through the end of the year, after weekend riots left the city's central shopping district looted and damaged, the Associated Press reported.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government acted days after protests over the rising cost of living in Milan turned violent. Rioters clashed with police near the city's historic cathedral, looted stores and set property on fire, according to the AP.

What the Decree Does

The decree creates a new criminal offense of violent participation in a demonstration, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 euros, or about $22,500, according to the AP. Penalties increase if offenders cover their faces or if someone is injured.

Protesters will be responsible for paying for property damage, Meloni said. The government also plans to add detention beds and judges, the AP reported.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said the measures also allow deferred arrests based on camera footage and expand powers for the armed forces and law enforcement, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. Fox News reported that the troops will be granted police powers.

The decree must be converted into law by Italy's parliament within 60 days.

A Weekend of Violence

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse rioters, many with their faces covered, on Saturday, and looting continued Sunday, the AP reported. Authorities said more than 100 police officers were injured over the two days.

Milan police said about 2,000 people took part in the riots Saturday night, including a large presence of naturalized Italians born to foreign parents as well as foreign nationals, according to the AP.

The BBC reported that disorder also spread to Turin and Bologna, and that high-end shops in Milan closed early and boarded up their windows.

What Italy's Leaders Say

"To demonstrate is a right. To lay our cities to waste is not," Meloni said Saturday, according to the BBC, adding that "hooligans" had exploited the protests to "sow chaos."

Salvini, who leads the League party, wrote that "as of tonight, it's law," ANSA reported. He said the government will also move to revoke citizenship and residence permits of adults who commit crimes.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala told ANSA he saw "smashed shop windows, looted stores, and frightened citizens."

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein said her party has always condemned violence and that the rioting should not be used to silence peaceful protesters, the BBC reported.

Italy's crackdown comes as neighboring France braces for another weekend of planned unrest, Fox News reported.

Hold Everyone Accountable.

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