Digos Conducts Searches in 18 Cities After Oct 17-18 Clashes

The Italian police conducted house and personal searches in 18 cities after the clashes that occurred on October 17 and 18, in operations carried out by the DIGOS under the delegation of the judicial authority and on the police's own initiative, according to ANSA coverage.

What happened

The Divisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali (DIGOS) carried out house and personal searches in the wake of the protests and clashes recorded on October 17 and 18. The actions aimed to identify those responsible for episodes of violence and to gather evidentiary elements for ongoing investigations. According to ANSA, part of the measures were performed “su delega dell'autorità giudiziaria” and another part by iniziativa della polizia, in alignment with investigations into serious disturbances.

Where the searches took place

The searches covered 18 cities across various regions of Italy, as listed to the press:

• Arezzo, Bari, Bergamo, Bologna, Bolzano, Como, Firenze, Genova, Lodi, Napoli, Pescara, Padova, Cremona, Verbania, Aosta, Monza, Varese, and Verona.

The operations involved local DIGOS teams and other police agencies as needed, with the objective of gathering evidence and identifying participants in the clashes.

Who was identified

According to ANSA, about 100 people were the targets of the actions or identified in relation to the serious disturbances. Among those identified, 51 were minors. The presence of youths among those involved led to referrals to the minors section of the justice system when applicable.

The incidents related to the clashes include notifications, repositories of evidentiary material, and, in some cases, precautionary measures that depend on the developments of the investigations and the decisions of the competent judicial authority.

Declarations and judicial framing

News sources indicate that agencies such as the Dda (Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia, when activated in cases of organized criticality) and the pm dei minori were cited in the investigations’ developments, which mention formal hypotheses such as "istigazione a delinquere con finalità di terrorismo" — a term reproduced by ANSA reports. These framings are procedural elements for which the Public Prosecutor must prove in court, should charges be brought.

"If it has started to open, it tears away the veil" — a phrase attributed to a minister, cited by ANSA, indicating the official assessment that investigations are revealing layers of the phenomenon and expanding understanding of the dynamics behind the clashes.

The combination of judicial delegations and direct police initiatives reflects the articulation between the judiciary and security forces in gathering evidence and safeguarding public order. Proceedings and potential precautionary measures will follow the Italian penal procedure, with equal procedural guarantees for the investigated.

Relevance for Brazilians and descendants of Italians

For readers of Raízes Italianas — Brazilians and descendants with interests in Italy — this is a relevant episode of public order that can affect news, local safety, and movement in urban areas. Coverage and judicial decisions influence the perception of safety and daily life in affected cities.

• Those following citizenship processes or planning trips should follow official updates and local authority recommendations.
• For ongoing news, regularly consult the Italy News section and guides on Life in Italy that cover mobility and safety.

The piece also demonstrates the Italian judicial system’s attention to potential criminal organizations or symbols that go beyond legitimate demonstrations, especially when there is indication of involvement by minors.

How to follow the developments

Investigations are ongoing and new procedural phases may occur in the coming weeks. Follow:

• official statements from the competent prosecutors’ offices;
• updates from DIGOS and local security forces;
• reporting from agencies like ANSA for a chronology of acts and judicial decisions.

Conclusion The searches in 18 cities after the clashes on October 17-18 represent a coordinated response by Italian authorities to establish accountability and gather evidence about episodes of violence. The incident deserves monitoring by anyone with ties to Italy, for practical and informational reasons, as investigations continue under judicial supervision.

Source: ANSA