Italy’s Meloni approves tougher measures to crack down on protests after Milan riots
The decree adds a new protest crime, raises penalties and makes parents pay for damage caused by minors after weekend unrest injured police.
- On Tuesday, the Italian government approved an emergency decree introducing a new criminal offense for violent demonstration participation, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $22,500.
- The measures follow violent protests in Milan on Saturday where 2,000 youths clashed with police, leaving more than 100 officers injured over two days amid looting and fires in central Milan.
- Deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan through year-end forms part of the security package, which also holds parents financially liable for damages caused by minors and allows police to detain youths aged 14 to 17.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the riots as "criminality," saying the presence of young rioters was "painful and frightening" and the government must prevent such images from becoming "a model for others to imitate."
- Parliament must convert the decree into law within 60 days; this action occurs as Italy's prison population has increased by more than 17% over four years under Meloni's administration, according to government data.
231 Articles
231 Articles
Italy's government is going through the severe riots in Milan. Parents of underage rioters are to pay for their children's damages in the future. Violent perpetrators threaten up to five years in prison, organisers twelve years.
After the riots in Milan and other cities on the weekend, the Italian government has decided on new security measures. For example, there is a new criminal offence for participation in violent protests. Parents are financially liable for their underage children if they cause damage.
Milan. Italy announced yesterday new security measures – including arresting minors and deploying 500 soldiers in Milan – to deal with riots such as those recorded during the weekend protests over the rising cost of living, in which rioters set fire and looted shops in the commercial district of the city centre.
While violence took place on Saturday and Sunday in several Italian cities, the President of the Council announced new sanctions and deployed an additional 500 soldiers in Milan.
"Violence in a demonstration as a new crime, tougher penalties for rioters and parental liability: After riots in protests, Italy's government has decided to take stricter security measures – including for minors.
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