Italy announces tougher protest laws after Milan riots

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 21:02 · Archive

Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced new security measures including 500 additional soldiers deployed to Milan following violent weekend protests that damaged the city's central shopping district.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni announced new security measures on Tuesday in response to violent protests in Milan on Saturday, when rioters, many of them minors, looted stores and set fire to property in the city's central shopping district. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the rioters.

A government decree calls for the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers to Milan through the end of the year. The measures also require parents to pay for damage caused by minors and make it easier to prosecute minors over 14. 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, with penalties increasing if offenders cover their faces or someone is injured.

Meloni said the presence of so many young rioters was 'painful and frightening'. 'Young people came to the square to smash things, steal and film themselves doing it,' she said. The government will also add new beds to detention facilities and judges to the juvenile justice system. The decree must be converted to law by parliament within 60 days.

How it is being reported

• Italy's Meloni approves tougher measures to crack down on protests after Milan riotsItalian Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced new security measures in response to violent protests in Milan after weekend riots caused significant damage to the city’s central shopping district.Clickorlando · 20 Oct, 20:15
• Italy's Meloni approves tougher measures to crack down on protests after Milan riotsItalian Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced new security measures in response to violent protests in Milan after weekend riots caused significant damage to the city’s central shopping district.News4Jax · 20 Oct, 20:15

In this story: Giorgia Meloni · Italy · Milan

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