Italy Tightens Security Measures Against Protesters with Harsher Penalties

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Italian officials announced on Tuesday a series of security measures against protesters, stating that parents of those who vandalize public property will be required to cover the costs of repairs. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underscored that acts of destruction and theft do not constitute revolution, classifying them as criminal offenses rather than protest. Individuals engaging in risky behavior during demonstrations will face up to five years in prison and a fine of €20,000 (over $22,000). These penalties will be intensified if other individuals are injured or if the perpetrator conceals their identity. Italian police will be authorized to detain minors aged 14 to 17, even if they have not committed a crime. The government has also announced the deployment of 500 army personnel to Milan alongside police forces by the end of 2026. Northern Italy, similar to France and other European nations, has witnessed hundreds of thousands of protesters, primarily driven by rising fuel costs and the general increase in the cost of living.