World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Protests across Italy bring clashes, 9 arrests and hundreds of detentions
On 24 October, protests over living costs, government policies and rearmament spread across Italy, with large crowds including young people and students.
The demonstrations came a week after serious unrest in Milan and other cities, prompting heavy security and preventive checks.
Clashes broke out in Turin, Bologna and Rome, while police also used tear gas or water cannon in some cities.
In Milan, more than 10,000 people marched, and 500 military personnel were deployed in the city centre.
National police figures listed 4,292 people identified, 371 taken to police offices, 87 reported and nine arrested; 110 of those taken to police offices were minors.
These figures describe police action and do not mean everyone identified committed an offence.
Investigators also identified Youssef Siher, who is suspected of managing a social media page linked to the Movement 17 October, and are investigating him for alleged incitement to commit a crime.
Investigations into the protests and alleged organising are continuing, while the government says it will act against violence.
Protests across Italy on 24 October led to clashes in several cities, nine arrests and 371 people being taken to or held at police offices.
Police identified 4,292 people and reported 87 people to authorities; 110 of those taken to or held at police offices were minors.
Clashes and police interventions were reported in Turin, Bologna, Rome and Florence, while Milan saw large demonstrations and tensions with police.
The demonstrations raised issues including the cost of living, government policies, rearmament and young people’s economic and social conditions.
Authorities said the protests did not reach the level of destruction and looting seen the previous week.
- Who
- Thousands of demonstrators, many of them young people and students, and police took part.
- What
- Protests across Italy brought clashes, nine arrests and 371 people taken to or held at police offices.
- When
- 24 October 2026.
- Where
- Several Italian cities, including Turin, Bologna, Rome, Florence and Milan.
- Why
- Demonstrators protested the cost of living, government policies and rearmament, among other issues.
Demonstrators
Italian authorities
Protest aims
Demonstrators
Demonstrators protested the cost of living, government policies, rearmament and young people’s economic and social conditions.
Italian authorities
Authorities said they were working to maintain public safety and protect the right to protest peacefully.
Clashes and enforcement
Demonstrators
Some demonstrators threw objects and attempted to move past security cordons; the sources do not give a unified account of their views on police action.
Italian authorities
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said police had isolated and contained violent groups and that those responsible for violence would face consequences.
Protests in Milan, Turin and Bologna ended in clashes and looting, according to the sources.
Police identified Youssef Siher, whom investigators suspected of administering a social media page linked to the Movimento 17 ottobre.
Demonstrations took place in several Italian cities, with clashes and police interventions reported in multiple locations.
Clashes in central Rome led police to use water cannon against demonstrators.
Authorities reported nine arrests, 87 people reported to authorities, 371 taken to or held at police offices, and 4,292 people identified.
- People identified
- 4,292
- Taken to or held at police offices
- 371, including 110 minors
- Arrests
- 9
- People reported to authorities
- 87
- Cities with reported clashes or tensions
- Turin, Bologna, Rome and Florence
- Police deployment in Milan
- 500 military personnel, according to Vanity Fair Italia
5 sources
Italia, il sabato della tensione: città blindate, scontri e arresti. Che cosa è successo il 24 ottobre
Cortei: città blindate, scontri a Torino, Roma e Bologna. A Milano fermata la "mente" del 17 ottobre - Bologna, idranti, lacrimogeni e cassonetti a fuoco. Carabiniere ferito aiutato da colleghi
Cortei in tutta Italia. Alta tensione a Torino - IL RACCONTO DELLA GIORNATA
Oltre 150 perquisizioni della polizia a Milano e in Lombardia
What people are saying
I want to thank the women and men of the Police Forces who also today, in the Italian squares, worked to guarantee the safety of citizens and the right to demonstrate peacefully, despite attempts by some violent people to provoke clashes and disorder.
The police forces managed to isolate and contain the violent groups, with balance and competence.
In Italy there can be no space for those who believe they can act with impunity and in no-go zones.
The freedom to demonstrate is a precious right guaranteed by our Constitution, but anyone who abuses it by choosing illegality and violence takes responsibility and answers to the judicial authorities.