Italy deploys 500 troops to Milan after weekend unrest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 01:20 · Archive

Italy will send 500 troops to Milan after two days of protests, looting and vandalism over the weekend.

Italy's government will deploy 500 army troops to Milan after two days of unrest that saw demonstrators clash with police, loot shops and vandalise property. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced the dispatch on Monday, describing it as action to 'defend Milan'. The deployment is expected to be included in a package of security measures to be approved at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

An initially peaceful demonstration on Saturday over poor public services and rising costs spiralled into violence. Several hundred hooded protesters, many believed to be minors, set bins ablaze and looted shops in central Milan. Stores ransacked included sports retailers Decathlon and Arc'teryx, mobile phone operator Vodafone, and clothing brands Levi's and Under Armour.

Luxury shops in Milan's Via Montenapoleone district, including Chanel, Tiffany and Dior, removed merchandise from their windows on Monday as a precaution. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who faces a national election next year, condemned the violence and chaired a meeting with ministers and security chiefs to discuss the situation. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the government would respond through measures aimed at curbing violence by minors. Corriere della Sera reported that Meloni was considering extending preventive detention for minors and cracking down on youth gangs.

How it is being reported

• Milan luxury shops close as Italy prepares to deploy troops in the city after days of protestsDemonstrations over poor public services and rising costs spiralled over the weekend, with shops looted and property vandalised Why are people protesting across Europe? Italy’s government will dispatch 500 army troops to “defend Milan” after two days of unrest that saw demonstrators clash with police, loot shops and vandalise property, deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini said on Monday. The deployment is expected to be included in a package of security measures to be approved at a cabinet meeting expected on Tuesday, and comes as shops in central Milan closed early and boarded up their…Guardian World · 20 Oct, 01:08
• Italy to dispatch 500 troops to 'defend Milan' after protests and lootingLuxury stores on Milan's Via Montenapoleone cleared their windows and shut early, bracing for a return of the violence that hit the city over the weekendIndependent World · 19 Oct, 21:19

In this story: Italy · Milan · Matteo Salvini · Giorgia Meloni · Antonio Tajani · League

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