Measures increased due to the possibility of violent protests in Italy

An anxious wait continues before the demonstrations to be held today, due to the high cost of living and anti-government protests that broke out in the country on October 17-18, especially in the city of Milan, where many people were injured and shops were looted and damaged.

Measures have been increased due to different protest marches to be held today in the capital Rome and major cities such as Milan and Naples.

Especially in Milan, where major events took place last week, 500 soldiers from the Italian army's elite paratrooper unit started to serve this morning, in line with the decision taken by the right-wing coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni during the week.

According to media reports, security measures have also been increased in Duomo Square in the center of Milan as of yesterday evening. It was observed that the armored vehicles of the paratrooper unit were deployed together with the police in and around the square.

It was seen that many stores and shops in the city center closed their shutters and covered their showcases with wooden chipboards as of last night.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport-Infrastructure Matteo Salvini also made an inspection in the morning in Milan city center, which was affected by last weekend's looting incidents. Salvini visited the damaged shops last week and discussed the measures taken with business employees and security forces.

In his statement to the press here, Salvini stated that Milan was ready for protests that could turn into violence.

It was seen that in many cities such as the capital Rome, Milan and Naples, stores and shops closed their shutters and covered their showcases with wooden chipboards to prevent damage.

In the news of the Italian ANSA agency, it was stated that searches were carried out at 150 points in Milan and 20 cities within the framework of preventive measures before this weekend.

The government issued a new security decree following last week's events

In his statement on October 20, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the new decree approved by the cabinet, regulating crimes and penalties in the field of juvenile crimes and security, following the protests that resulted in violence in Milan last weekend.

Stating that "violent participation in demonstrations" is defined as a crime by the decree, Meloni said, "If you join a group of 5 or more people during a march or demonstration and throw stones, small fireworks or sticks, endangering everyone's safety, you will face a prison sentence of up to 5 years and a fine of up to 20 thousand euros." he said.

Meloni emphasized that those who cover their faces during demonstrations, cause injuries to others, or participate in "destruction activities" in groups will be subject to heavier penalties and will have to compensate for the damage they cause.

Meloni stated that within the scope of the new crime definition, the practice of "preventive detention for suspects whose identities are known or causing chaos before demonstrations that may cause problems" will also include minors.

In Milan, a city in the north of Italy where the heart of finance and fashion beats, the demonstrations attended by thousands of people who came to the squares on October 17-18 to protest the high cost of living and the policies of the right-wing coalition government led by Meloni turned into violence.

It was seen that some demonstrators, mostly young people, broke and looted the showcases of stores and supermarkets, set fire to garbage bins and caused great material damage in the city.