Rome, 20 Oct. (LaPresse) – “Vandalism and theft are not forms of protest; they are criminal acts, and the state’s response must be firm”. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following the Cabinet’s approval of the decree-law on public safety and tackling juvenile crime, passed in the wake of the weekend’s violence and looting, which left nearly 200 police officers injured and caused damage estimated by Confcommercio at around one million euros in Milan. Among the key changes is the introduction of the offence of violent participation in a demonstration: anyone acting as part of a group of at least five people using sticks, firecrackers or other dangerous weapons faces between two and five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Penalties are increased if the perpetrator’s face is covered or if other people are injured. Stricter penalties are also provided for acts of vandalism committed in a group. The decree also addresses offences committed by minors aged between 14 and 18, immediately introducing a presumption of criminal responsibility, unless proven otherwise, and extending pre-trial detention to minors. Parents will also be required to pay compensation for damages resulting from offences committed by their children. Meloni also announced the deployment of 500 additional military personnel in Milan until the end of the year, the strengthening of the juvenile justice system with more magistrates and places in youth detention centres, and measures to allow for arrest on the basis of CCTV footage. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio defended the measure, clarifying that it does not restrict freedom of demonstration: “Dissent is the lifeblood of democracy, but it must remain within the bounds of the law.” Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini emphasised the strengthening of the “Strade Sicure” initiative and the tools available to the police.
Clashes in the streets; the Council of Ministers approves the security decree. Meloni: “A firm response from the state”
Rome, 20 Oct. (LaPresse) – “Vandalism and theft are not forms of protest; they are criminal acts, and the state’s response must be firm”. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following the Cabinet’s approval of the decree-law on public safety and tackling juvenile crime, passed in the wake of the weekend’s violence and looting, which left nearly 200 police officers injured and caused damage estimated by Confcommercio at around one million euros in Milan. Among the key changes is the introduction of the offence of violent participation in a demonstration: anyone acting as part of a group of at least five people using sticks, firecrackers or other dangerous weapons faces between two and five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Penalties are increased if the perpetrator’s face is covered or if other people are injured. Stricter penalties are also provided for acts of vandalism committed in a group. The decree also addresses offences committed by minors aged between 14 and 18, immediately introducing a presumption of criminal responsibility, unless proven otherwise, and extending pre-trial detention to minors. Parents will also be required to pay compensation for damages resulting from offences committed by their children. Meloni also announced the deployment of 500 additional military personnel in Milan until the end of the year, the strengthening of the juvenile justice system with more magistrates and places in youth detention centres, and measures to allow for arrest on the basis of CCTV footage. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio defended the measure, clarifying that it does not restrict freedom of demonstration: “Dissent is the lifeblood of democracy, but it must remain within the bounds of the law.” Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini emphasised the strengthening of the “Strade Sicure” initiative and the tools available to the police.