ROME – Italy approved a raft of security measures on Tuesday including a new offense of violent participation in a demonstration, tougher penalties for rioters, and financial liability for parents whose children take part in vandalism and looting.
The move came after unrest swept northern Italian cities at the weekend, including the financial capital Milan, where gangs of mainly young people went on the rampage, smashing windows, robbing shops and attacking police.
“There is nothing revolutionary about vandalizing and stealing. Vandalism and theft are not protest, they are criminality,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on social media, unveiling the decree.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.