Italian protests remain peaceful as police detain alleged organizer of recent riots

Across Italy, Saturday saw authorized protests against the war, living costs and the Meloni government unfold without incidents, despite earlier fears of repeat riots. Law enforcement conducted extensive operations, including 150 searches in 20 municipalities such as Milan and Monza, and deployed hundreds of officers and military personnel to deter any surprise clashes. The authorities arrested Youssef Siher, a freelance journalist and analyst, charging him with incitement, terrorist motive and use of digital tools, alleging he authored the online calls that sparked the previous unrest.

Siher holds a communications degree and a political science master’s from the University of Milan and has previously contributed to national newspapers and a research institute. In Rome, police identified 260 young participants, leading to 63 arrests, while large student gatherings on both the far-right and anti-war sides proceeded peacefully under a strong police presence.