ROME, October 21 (Aalimi Nation) – Italy's cabinet has approved a security decree that sends 500 soldiers to Milan and creates a new criminal offence of violent participation in a demonstration, following a weekend of looting and clashes after cost-of-living protests. The measures were approved on Tuesday and, according to the government, took effect immediately.
What the decree does
Under the new offence, a person who joins a group of at least five people that endangers public safety during a protest can face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Penalties rise if faces are concealed or if anyone is injured. Authorities can also order prompt compensation for damage.
Parents will face fines of 500 to 1,000 euros, doubled for repeat cases, if their children cause damage at a demonstration, even where the children are too young to be charged. Police are also being given wider powers to detain older teenagers who have not committed a crime if there is evidence that they pose a danger, extending a power previously applied only to adults. Reports differ on the exact age range covered.
Troops and limits
The Ministry of Defence said the soldiers would reinforce security at key sites, increase surveillance of sensitive locations and strengthen monitoring. They are due to stay in Milan until December 31 at a reported cost of 4.7 million euros. The cabinet did not give the troops policing powers, a step that had been expected, after objections from President Sergio Mattarella, according to Italian media. The soldiers will support police patrols instead.
How the unrest unfolded
Around 5,000 people took part in peaceful marches against the rising cost of living in Milan on October 17, organised by a movement called Italia in Piazza, according to reports. Violence broke out late on Saturday, and groups of mostly young people looted shops, smashed windows and clashed with police on Sunday. Protesters have pointed to higher fuel and energy prices, high rents, low wages and weak public services.
Police in Milan arrested 48 people over the weekend, 34 of them minors, and more than 340 people were taken to police stations for identification, according to reports. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said early findings showed no "structured links" to militant groups, which he described as unusual.
Government response
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media: "Destroying and stealing is not protest, it is crime." She said the response of the state must be firm.
The decree must be turned into law by Parliament within 60 days, and the full text had not been published when the measures were announced. Critics have raised concerns about the provisions affecting minors, including a presumption that teenagers over 14 understand their actions unless a judge decides otherwise.
What to watch
A movement called Movimento 17 Ottobre has called protests for Saturday in eight cities, including Milan, Turin, Bologna and Rome. Italia in Piazza had not said whether it would march again or wait until October 29. The coming days will test how the new offence and the troop deployment are applied on the ground, and how Parliament treats the decree.
