Italy to deploy 500 troops with police powers in Milan after weekend unrest

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL(AA) - Italy’s government will approve the deployment of 500 troops with police powers in Milan following weekend violence during protests over the cost of living, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Tuesday.

The deployment will be among measures Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Cabinet is expected to approve later Tuesday, the ANSA news agency reported.

Speaking at an event in Rome, Tajani said the package would also include measures that “will make it more difficult even for minors to commit crimes.”

“The government's response will be very firm to ensure free commerce and the free movement of citizens in city centres,” he said.

The unrest began Saturday on the sidelines of a demonstration against the high cost of living and continued Sunday. Groups of youths smashed shop windows and looted stores and supermarkets before dispersing.

Fourteen police officers were injured as rioters threw stones, bottles and flares. More than 270 people were detained, around 80% of them minors.

Tajani distinguished peaceful protesters from those responsible for the violence.

“Peaceful demonstrations are legitimate because we live in a democracy, but those who devastated downtown Milan are criminals, often without political motives,” he said.

“We'll have to see if there was any orchestration behind it.”

The announcement followed a meeting chaired by Meloni on Monday with ministers and senior security officials.

Necva Taştan Sevinç