Sixty people under investigation for incitement to violence during protests
The Italian State Police carried out 60 searches in 23 cities against individuals who incited violence via social media during October protests. Replica weapons, knives and disguise clothing were seized.
Operation against incitement to violence in the streets
The Italian State Police conducted searches targeting approximately 60 individuals who, according to judicial authorities, incited violence through messaging services and social media platforms during street protests. According to ilsole24ore.com, the operation involved 23 Italian cities: Ancona, Avellino, Bari, Bergamo, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Florence, La Spezia, Messina, Monza, Naples, Novara, Parma, Perugia, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Rome, Syracuse, Turin, Trieste and Verona.
The investigative activity of the Digos and postal police focused on three lines of inquiry: identifying those who had participated in the disorders of 17, 18 and 24 October; identifying individuals showing blunt objects on social media; tracing those organising new mobilisations for 31 October in various Italian cities.
During the searches, five replica pistols, a rudimentary knife, a window breaker and additional blunt objects were recovered, along with clothing used during the disorder and items for disguise. A total of 11 mobile phones believed to be of investigative interest were also seized.
The operations led to the discovery of specific material in various cities. In Bergamo, a Beretta 92 FS replica pistol, a steel pliers, a rudimentary knife, three phones and clothes worn on 17 October were found, together with plastic masks. In Cagliari, a blank-firing pistol was seized, whilst in Messina two blank-firing pistols, a window breaker, a smoke device, a balaclava and a baseball-bat type pole were found. In Parma, a toy pistol with blanks was discovered, and in Turin clothing taken during looting of shops was recovered along with mobile phones.
In Bologna, two phones were seized containing footage of the clashes of 24 October, whilst in Brescia the clothing used during the disorder was found.
The investigative activity of the Italian State Police continues with a view to identifying other individuals responsible for crimes committed during the protests or via social channels. Vigilance remains high particularly in Milan during weekends, where following the clashes and looting of 17 and 18 October, reinforced security measures have been implemented, particularly over weekends and in view of Halloween events and the Inter-Milan derby.
In the Lombardy capital, patrols of law enforcement forces and military personnel from the Army have been increased in central and tourist areas, with intensified checks in Piazza Duomo, at the Castello, on Via Dante and at San Babila. Private security has also been reinforced at commercial establishments. Many shops in the centre have maintained window protections with wooden or metal panels, including Decathlon, Sephora, Uniqlo, Levi's and Muji, whilst Foot Locker remains closed following looting.
In the fashion district as well, luxury boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Tiffany, Celine and Dior have installed precautionary window protections, with some managers emphasising the temporary nature of the measures adopted to guarantee the safety of customers and staff.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)