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Italy Approves Troops and Tougher Penalties for Protests

Updated 3:09 AM ET · 1:21 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: The new measures, which take effect immediately, include a legal offense for violent participation in demonstrations, tougher penalties for rioters, and financial liability for parents whose children engage in vandalism or looting.

The new measures, which take effect immediately, include a legal offense for violent participation in demonstrations, tougher penalties for rioters, and financial liability for parents whose children engage in vandalism or looting.

Premier Giorgia Meloni announced the measures in response to violent protests in Milan, where weekend riots caused significant damage to the city’s central shopping district.

According to Al Jazeera, anyone who participates in a group of at least five people and endangers public safety during protests now faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of €20,000 ($22,460).

Protesters in both the north and south of Italy cite rising prices as the primary cause of their discontent, pushing families into poverty.

Meloni faces pressure to address these issues ahead of the 2027 national elections.

The Italian government condemned the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists by Israeli officials, placing them under investigation.

Meanwhile, Milan is bracing for further protests on Saturday, as a new movement called 17 October has emerged on social media.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu echoed Italy's stance, stating that the government would not be intimidated by violence and blamed unrest on the 'far-left' and criminals.

The CGT union reported that 800,000 people across France had taken part in Saturday's protests, which were larger than the peak of the yellow vest protests but smaller than those against Macron’s pension changes in 2023.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military, police and prison officials have been placed under investigation in Italy over the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, Italian prosecutors have said.

What's still developing

• Italy’s Ministry of Defence said the military will help reinforce security at key sites, step up surveillance of sensitive locations and enhance monitoring.
• Parents will be required to pay for damage caused by minors, and the measures will make it easier to prosecute minors over 14.
• Government planning tougher security measures as France also says military forces will be deployed Government planning tougher security measures as France also says military forces will be deployed Italy’s government is sending 500 soldiers to Milan and vowed a “firm response from the state” after protests against the cost of living descended into clashes with police, vandalism and looting.
• Italy is seeking deals on submarines and aircraft, and gifting the carrier to Indonesia also saves it the cost of decommissioning the ship.
• They were later joined by chiefs of defence staff from Lebanon, Jordan, France, Britain and Italy, as well as top US and Saudi officials, a French military source said.
• The Italian Air Force F-2000s, deployed as part of the “Baltic Thunder III” Air Task Force, were scrambled late yesterday, intercepted the unmanned aircraft and neutralized it in accordance with NATO procedures, Italy’s Defense Ministry said.
• A 143-year-old landmark in the French city of Limoges was "largely lost" to a fire started by masked protesters on Saturday as protests in France over rising living costs and declining public services turned violent in parts of the country, resulting in more than 1,000 arrests.
• Most protests began around midday, Reuters said.
• "Demonstrating is a right, but setting our cities on fire is not," she said.
• Meloni wrote on X: "Once again, the women and men of the Law Enforcement Forces have had to face the violence of criminals who, even through organized groups, exploit demonstrations to seek confrontation and sow chaos," she posted.
• Unequivocally condemn these acts of violence and issue a clear appeal for every mobilization to be peaceful." Il Sole 24 news site quoted Francesco Filini, MP for Meloni's Fratelli d’Italia and national program coordinator, as saying: "It is no longer tolerable that every time left-wing extremists take to the streets, scenes of organized destruction unfold.
• “The plan to acquire the Garibaldi must be based on genuine operational needs and our ability to operate it, rather than being driven by pride or other considerations,” said Muhammad Fauzan Malufti, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Sources

• Al Jazeeralink
• Fox Newslink
• Idaho Presslink
• The Guardianlink
• Thetimes-Tribunelink
• Trtworldlink
• The Guardianlink
• AFPlink
• Decode39link
• Hindustan Timeslink
• The Indian Expresslink
• Vaticannewslink
• Enlink
• Al Jazeeralink
• Sbslink
• WarpBeat — background on Italy Approves Tough Security Measures Amid Protests link
• CNN-News18 — video link