Italy approves a new security decree after violence in Milan

Meta description: The Meloni government creates a crime of violent participation, prescribes up to 5 years in prison, fines of €20,000, parental responsibility, and deploying 500 soldiers to Milan.

The Italian government approved a new public security decree in response to looting and vandalism that occurred in Milan and other cities, creating stricter criminal and administrative tools to curb violent acts during demonstrations. The measures were first announced after the episodes of violence and detailed in coverage by Comunità Italiana.

Overview of the announced measures — security decree and penalties

The decree's text establishes the crime of violent participation in demonstrations: being part of a group of at least five people and throwing objects during a protest can result in up to 5 years in prison and fines up to €20,000, according to Comunità Italiana. The decree also provides for harsher penalties when participants conceal their faces (for example with hoods or masks) or when their actions cause injuries to others.

Authorities say the rule aims to differentiate peaceful protests from episodes of organized disorder, applying stricter sanctions to those involved in collective and violent conduct. The legal text also allows for investigation and identification of group members, using procedural tools to hold individuals accountable.

Financial accountability for damages

The decree establishes the principle that those who cause damages, whether public or private, must bear the costs. Regarding public property — such as bus shelters, traffic lights, and patrol cars — the prefect will have the authority to forward the cost recovery to those responsible or to the identified collective responsible for the damages.

For private property (stores, shop windows, vehicles), the owner may request an executable payment order aimed at recovering amounts to repair or replace the damaged asset. This order can be challenged in court, in line with the procedural instruments provided by the legislation. The government's aim is to accelerate damage repair and discourage vandalism, according to Comunità Italiana's reporting.

Specific measures for minors

Among the most controversial provisions are those affecting adolescents. The decree introduces a presumption that youths between 14 and 18 years understood their own actions during episodes of violence, unless proven otherwise. Practically, this shifts the burden of proof in procedures against minors.

Additionally, the text provides the possibility of extending the use of more rigorous precautionary measures — including pre-trial detention — to minors, a requirement that previously was mostly limited to adults in similar cases. The decree also opens the door for parents to be financially held liable for damages caused by their minor children; this liability can, in certain circumstances, extend to family assets and resources normally funded by the State.

The measures have sparked debate among juvenile-justice experts and child-protection organizations, who warn about the risk of weakening procedural guarantees and the need for pedagogical and socio-assistance oversight mechanisms. According to Comunità Italiana, the government justifies the changes as a necessary response to the escalation of violence involving youths.

Security reinforcement and judicial infrastructure

As part of the package, the government announced the deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan by the end of the year to bolster security and support local forces in maintaining public order. The measure was presented as temporary and targeted at the areas most affected by violent demonstrations, according to Comunità Italiana's coverage.

In parallel, the Executive aims to expand the number of juvenile court magistrates and increase vacancies in facilities for minors, with the stated goal of broadening response capabilities both in the repression and in the socio-educational sphere. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need to clearly distinguish between the right to protest peacefully and acts of violence and vandalism, while advocating adoption of the new rules.

Relevance for Brazilians and descendants of Italians

Comunità Italiana, a platform that connects Italy and Brazil, published detailed coverage of the decree to inform Itaio-Brazilian readers about the legal and operational changes in Italy. For Brazilians of Italian descent living in Italy or traveling to the country, the new rules have practical implications: participation in demonstrations can expose citizens to reinforced criminal and civil liabilities, and the expanded presence of soldiers can alter the security landscape in affected cities.

Interested readers seeking broader context about the situation in the country and other developments can follow updates in Notícies da Itália and in sections on Life in Italy. For citizenship and mobility questions, see Cidadania Italiana.

Conclusion The security decree approved by the Giorgia Meloni government combines criminal, civil, and administrative measures to address episodes of violence in demonstrations, with a special focus on collective accountability and including minors in the repressive and reparative tools. The provisions are already prompting debate about proportionality, legal guarantees, and practical effects on protest management in Italian cities.

Source: Comunità Italiana