Italy approves tougher anti-riot laws after Milan violence

On October 20, 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government approved a security decree imposing tougher anti-riot measures following weekend violence in Milan that left over 100 police officers injured. The decree establishes a new criminal offense for violent protest participation with fines up to €20,000, holds parents financially liable for minor children's vandalism, grants police powers to detain dangerous youths aged 14–17, and deploys 500 army troops to Milan.

New penalties under anti-riot decree

• ▪On October 20, 2026, the Italian government approved a decree introducing a new criminal offense of violent participation in a demonstration, carrying up to five years in prison and a €20,000 fine
• ▪The Italian anti-riot decree approved on October 20, 2026 automatically presumes anyone over age 14 understands their actions unless proven otherwise, subject to parliamentary approval within 60 days
• ▪Under Italy's October 20, 2026 anti-riot decree, penalties increase if protest participants conceal their faces or if individuals suffer injuries

Government stance on vandalism

• ▪Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on social media on October 20, 2026, that vandalism and theft constitute criminality rather than legitimate protest
• ▪Under measures approved on October 20, 2026, Italian authorities are empowered to order prompt compensation from adult protesters and parents of minors for damage, vandalism, looting, or property destruction inflicted during demonstrations

Expanded powers for juvenile offenders

• ▪Under expanded powers announced on October 20, 2026, Italian police can detain youths aged 14 to 17 at police stations for up to 12 hours without charge if evidence shows they pose a public danger
• ▪Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on October 20, 2026 that Italy will add detention facility beds and juvenile justice system judges to handle young offenders

Milan riots and arrests

• ▪More than 100 police officers were injured during two days of rioting in central Milan on October 17 and October 18, 2026
• ▪Unrest swept central Milan on October 17 and October 18, 2026, as gangs of youths clashed with police, looted stores, set fires, and damaged property
• ▪Milan police reported that 2,000 youths participated in the October 17, 2026 riots, and roughly 50 people were arrested over the weekend of October 17-18, 2026, including more than 30 minors

Impact of southern truck protests

• ▪Following roadblocks by southern Italian truck drivers, some pasta manufacturers halted production while agricultural groups warned that produce could be left to rot
• ▪Truck drivers in southern Italy staged supply-chain-disrupting roadblocks on October 20, 2026 to protest fuel prices, leading the Italian government to offer aid to road hauliers