The government is stepping up security measures following the violence and looting that plagued Milan over the weekend. The Council of Ministers has approved a new decree, introducing stricter measures to combat unrest during demonstrations and strengthening the tools available to law enforcement. Among the most significant changes is the extension of pre-trial detention to minors for up to 24 hours.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni calls for a firm response from the state. "I want to be clear: there is no political idea, no social unrest, no opposition to the government that can justify the destruction of a shop to steal its merchandise," she states in a video released after the Cabinet approval. "Behind that shop window is a family who has made a lifetime of sacrifices, there are workers who risk losing their jobs, there are citizens who have the right to live their city without fear. There is nothing revolutionary about devastation and theft. Devastation and theft are not protest, they are criminality. And the state's response must be firm."

The Prime Minister then focused on the new provisions regarding minors. " Today, for a child between the ages of 14 and 18, the State must demonstrate at all times that he or she was capable of understanding what he or she was doing. We had already approved a law that overturns this principle, meaning that it is presumed that he or she was capable of understanding what he or she was doing unless proven otherwise. That law is in Parliament, but with today's decree, it becomes effective immediately. And the preventive detention that until now has only applied to adults will now also be applicable to minors."

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi outlined the expansion of preventive detention, which will not only apply to those participating in demonstrations but also to those who disrupt security in places with a large influx of people. The measure, he explained, "is based on suspicion of committing crimes" and may also be applied to minors. The minister described what the government is addressing as an "unprecedented" phenomenon.

On the justice front, Minister Carlo Nordio confirmed that the presumption of mental capacity for children between 14 and 18, already included in a draft law, has been included in the decree and becomes effective immediately. "To stem this phenomenon that has recently affected our cities, this framework has been developed regarding criminal procedure: first, it concerns the presumption of mental capacity, or rather, the criminal liability, of minors between 14 and 18," he stated.

Nordio also announced a new criminal offense for those who organize violent demonstrations. "There is a separate criminal offense" punishable "by four to twelve years for anyone who, even through computer or electronic means, promotes the formation of a group" for the purpose of these "violent demonstrations."

Regarding local security, the arrival of 500 additional military personnel in Milan as part of the "Safe Streets" operation has been confirmed, lasting until December 31st. However, they will not be granted the judicial police powers initially envisioned. The goal is to strengthen the local presence through mixed patrols, composed of military and law enforcement.

(Unioneonline)

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