Milan Security: 500 Troops Deployed After Mass Detentions of Minors

The Italian government is deploying 500 soldiers to Milan to secure the city ahead of new protests in eight cities. These demonstrations, scheduled for Saturday, target Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration and rising living costs. The move follows a week of clashes and looting that left 271 people detained, including 220 minors.

The October 17 Movement, a recently formed coalition with student groups and trade unions, announced the new round of demonstrations online. The group expressed distrust of the current government, describing it as authoritarian. Organizers kept the specific meeting points secret until the last minute, planning to reveal three locations on social media on Saturday afternoon.

Police intensified their presence following last weekend’s unrest. Officers conducted 150 raids and searches in the Lombardy region on Saturday morning, targeting suspects in the previous looting and rioting. Adnkronos reported that these operations were part of a broader series of security measures announced by the government.

Law enforcement officials stated that they have located and are questioning the administrator of the movement’s Instagram page. Corriere della Sera identified the individual as a 30-year-old Italian-Moroccan freelance journalist and researcher. He faces investigation on suspicion of inciting crimes. The movement’s Telegram channel urged participants to remain peaceful, warning that any disruption would provide police with an excuse to charge.

Legal representatives highlighted the youth of those detained. Lawyer Michele D'Agostino is defending two demonstrators, aged 21 and 15. He noted that the 15-year-old did not understand the reasons behind the protest and had only seen it on TikTok. The prosecutor blamed social media for misleading young people into what he called insurrectional acts.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio stated that the country needs to expand the capacity of its youth detention facilities to handle the surge in arrests. Separately, truck drivers in southern Italy established roadblocks earlier this week to protest high fuel prices. The government responded by granting tax breaks and creating a special fund for farmers and fishermen to alleviate the pressure on supply chains.

The protests represent a test for the right-wing government as it balances security measures with public dissent. The October 17 Movement claims most participants intend to express their disagreement peacefully. Police continue to monitor the situation as the deadline for revealing protest locations approaches.