Government adds new offence of violent participation in demonstrations, makes parents liable for damage by minors and sends 500 more troops to the city, but Mattarella blocks police powers for soldiers.Italy’s government on Tuesday approved a security decree-law in response to rioting in Milan at the weekend, creating a new criminal offence for violent protest and tightening rules on minors.Police used water cannon and tear gas as hundreds of mostly masked youths looted shops and set fires in the city centre on Saturday. Violence continued on Sunday. Authorities said more than 100 officers were injured over the two days, and Milan police estimated that 2,000 young people took part on Saturday night.Prime minister Giorgia Meloni said 330 people had been detained or arrested, around half of them of foreign origin, either born abroad or born in Italy to foreign parents. She described the number of very young participants as “painful and frightening” and said many had been summoned by a social media video. “Demonstrating is a right, destroying our cities is not,” she said. What the decree contains The new offence of violent participation in a demonstration applies to anyone in a group of five or more who uses sticks, clubs, flares or fireworks in a way that creates a concrete danger. It carries two to five years in prison and a fine of up to €20,000, with higher penalties for covered faces or attacks on public infrastructure. Anyone who organises such groups, including online, faces four to 12 years.Other measures include the power to arrest after the event, not only in the act, for damage committed during demonstrations; preventive detention is extended to crowded public places, not just demonstrations; and more flexible assignment of magistrates so arrests can be validated within legal deadlines. Measures aimed at young people Minors aged 14 to 18 are now presumed to understand their actions unless proven otherwise, a rule previously left to a judge. It was already in a bill before parliament and now takes immediate effect.Preventive detention measures are to be extended to minors aged 16 and over. Newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the detention would last up to 24 hours. Manifestare è un diritto, devastare le nostre città no. Ecco le misure che abbiamo approvato per contrastare la violenza e tutelare la sicurezza dei cittadini. https://t.co/kqk51X8YZa — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 20, 2026 Parents of minors involved in violence, even those too young to be prosecuted, can be fined €500 to €1,000 by a prefect, doubled for repeat offences. Prefects can also order parents to compensate public bodies for damage, and a simplified procedure will help private victims. Police chiefs can ban minors from gathering in groups showing intimidating behaviour. More juvenile magistrates and detention places will also be provided. Troops and the Quirinale The decree sends 500 extra soldiers to Milan until 31 December. Defence minister Guido Crosetto had wanted the troops to act with judicial police powers, but Italy's president Sergio Mattarella reportedly raised objections, as soldiers lack police training.The final text does not grant those powers, and the troops cannot make arrests. Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi denied any dispute with Mattarella, describing the exchanges as “fluid, serene and productive”. He said the troops will support police patrols and public order, and that a “more dynamic” role could be considered. Political reaction Meloni said no political idea or social hardship could justify looting and urged all parties to stand “on the side of legality”. She criticised the offer of free legal aid to those arrested, an apparent reference to Green and Left Alliance (AVS) MEP Ilaria Salis, who had warned that Italy was “a state governed by law, not a police state”.Within the right-wing governing coalition, the Lega and Forza Italia each claimed credit for the troop deployment. Crosetto and Lega leader Matteo Salvini also differed over the cause: Crosetto blamed “hybrid war”, while Salvini rejected the idea that anyone was orchestrating the unrest. Piantedosi said the claim should not be dismissed, though early findings showed no structured links to antagonist groups.Riccardo Magi of the left-wing Più Europa said the government had “failed across the board” and criticised further restrictions on the right to protest. Police unions had also criticised the plan to give soldiers police roles.The decree takes effect immediately but must be converted into law by parliament within 60 days. Mattarella had said earlier that the violence was unacceptable and called for a thorough analysis of its causes. Photo credit: MikeDotta / Shutterstock.com

Italy’s government on Tuesday approved a security decree-law in response to at the weekend, creating a new criminal offence for violent protest and tightening rules on minors. Police used water cannon and tear gas as hundreds of mostly and set fires in the city centre on Saturday. Violence continued on Sunday. Authorities said more than 100 officers were injured over the two days, and Milan police estimated that 2,000 young people took part on Saturday night.

Prime minister Giorgia Meloni said 330 people had been detained or arrested, around half of them of foreign origin, either born abroad or born in Italy to foreign parents. She described the number of very young participants as “painful and frightening” and said many had been summoned by a social media video. “Demonstrating is a right, destroying our cities is not,” she said. The new offence of violent participation in a demonstration applies to anyone in a group of five or more who uses sticks, clubs, flares or fireworks in a way that creates a concrete danger. It carries two to five years in prison and a fine of up to €20,000, with higher penalties for covered faces or attacks on public infrastructure. Anyone who organises such groups, including online, faces four to 12 years.

Other measures include the power to arrest after the event, not only in the act, for damage committed during demonstrations; preventive detention is extended to crowded public places, not just demonstrations; and more flexible assignment of magistrates so arrests can be validated within legal deadlines. Minors aged 14 to 18 are now presumed to understand their actions unless proven otherwise, a rule previously left to a judge. It was already in a bill before parliament and now takes immediate effect.

measures are to be extended to minors aged 16 and over. Newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the detention would last up to 24 hours. Manifestare è un diritto, devastare le nostre città no. Ecco le misure che abbiamo approvato per contrastare la violenza e tutelare la sicurezza dei cittadini. https://t.co/kqk51X8YZa — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) Parents of minors involved in violence, even those too young to be prosecuted, can be fined €500 to €1,000 by a prefect, doubled for repeat offences. Prefects can also order parents to compensate public bodies for damage, and a simplified procedure will help private victims. Police chiefs can ban minors from gathering in groups showing intimidating behaviour. More juvenile magistrates and detention places will also be provided. The decree until 31 December. Defence minister Guido Crosetto had wanted the troops to act with judicial police powers, but Italy's president Sergio Mattarella reportedly raised objections, as soldiers lack police training.

The final text does not grant those powers, and the troops cannot make arrests. Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi denied any dispute with Mattarella, describing the exchanges as “fluid, serene and productive”. He said the troops will support police patrols and public order, and that a “more dynamic” role could be considered. Meloni said no political idea or social hardship could justify looting and urged all parties to stand “on the side of legality”. She criticised the offer of free legal aid to those arrested, an apparent reference to Green and Left Alliance (AVS) MEP Ilaria Salis, who had warned that Italy was “a state governed by law, not a police state”.

Within the right-wing governing coalition, the Lega and Forza Italia each claimed credit for the troop deployment. Crosetto and Lega leader Matteo Salvini also differed over the cause: Crosetto blamed “hybrid war”, while Salvini rejected the idea that anyone was orchestrating the unrest. Piantedosi said the claim should not be dismissed, though early findings showed no structured links to antagonist groups.

Riccardo Magi of the left-wing Più Europa said the government had “failed across the board” and criticised further restrictions on the right to protest. Police unions had also criticised the plan to give soldiers police roles.

The decree takes effect immediately but must be converted into law by parliament within 60 days. Mattarella had said earlier that the violence was unacceptable and called for a thorough analysis of its causes. Photo credit: MikeDotta / Shutterstock.com