Italy after Milan riots: parents to pay, protesters face up to five years
Meloni's government has approved a decree: 500 extra soldiers for Milan, a new offence of violent participation in protests, and parents liable for damage caused by minors.
Archive image · Photo: ScareCriterion12 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Following the riots in Milan, Italy's government on Tuesday approved a decree tightening the rules against violence at protests. An additional 500 soldiers are to be sent to the Lombard city until the end of the year. A new offence of violent participation in a demonstration carries up to five years in prison and fines of up to 20,000 euros, with tougher penalties if offenders cover their faces or someone is injured. Protesters will have to pay for property damage, and parents for damage caused by their minor children.
In addition, anyone over 14 will be presumed to understand the consequences of their actions unless proven otherwise – until now a judge decided this. The juvenile justice system will get more judges and extra detention places. Parliament must convert the decree into law within 60 days. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a video that young people had come to the square "to smash things, steal and film themselves doing it". This was "a phenomenon that we must address seriously".
According to Milan police, around 2,000 young people took part in Saturday night's riots. About 50 people were arrested over the weekend, more than 30 of them minors, and more than 100 police officers were injured over two days. According to Il Sole 24 Ore, further demonstrations are planned in major cities for 24 and 30 October.