Italy sends troops, toughens security laws after Milan clashes

Italy is sending troops into Milan as a response to the urban unrest that took place in the wake of the protests in France. 500 soldiers are to be sent into the city. Some luxury brands are keeping their stores closed. Seema Gupta is standing by to give us more analysis of the situation. Seema, welcome to the program. 500 troops on the streets of Milan. This is a serious move. Yes, it is. And it's a part of a raft of new security measures that government has essentially approved in order to deal with what they saw happen over the weekend. Again, if you recall, young people took to the streets. Protests that began peacefully on Saturday were followed up with groups of people that infiltrated those protests, wearing black hoodies with their faces covered, both on Saturday and Sunday, clashing with the police, throwing objects at them, bottles, setting bins on fire and looting and ransacking shops. shops. Now, as a result of that, the Prime Minister had a security meeting today and basically decided on a list of measures, including anyone who is now taking part of a group of at least five people that is endangering public safety. They face up to five years in prison and €20,000 in fine. And those penalties can be increased if their faces are covered or if people are injured as a result of their actions. On top of that, there's financial liability for those who participate in these events and that the compensation for that damage can, in fact, if in the case that they are minors, those parents of those minors are liable. They will have to pay for the damages. I mean, essentially, Prime Minister Meloni making it very clear that there is nothing revolutionary about looting and stealing. and that vandalism and theft are not protesting. It's essentially criminality. Now, on top of the 500 army troops, she also said that the police will have the powers to detain youth, that is, those between the ages of 14 and 17, even if they've not committed a crime, but as long as there's evidence that they actually pose danger. And the defence minister also said in a press conference after these measures were announced, that anyone on social media is known to organize these violent groups also face certain penalties. So clearly, very tough measures putting in place along with the 500 army troops that will stand alongside the police in the city of Milan right up till the end of 2026. Sima Gupta, thank you very much indeed. Sima, there are correspondents in Rome with the latest moves by the Italian government to calm the urban unrest, in particular focusing on Milan, with some 500 troops being sent in there in the coming hours.