The Italian government has approved a package of security measures that include preventive detention, allowing police to hold individuals considered threats to public safety for up to 12 hours before protests begin. The legislation also introduces tougher penalties for pickpocketing, restrictions on selling potentially harmful items to minors, and measures targeting violent organized groups. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi emphasized that the detention measure involves judicial oversight and is not intended to restrict freedoms arbitrarily.
The move follows violent clashes in Turin during a demonstration supporting an anarchist social center, which resulted in over 100 police officers injured. The unrest, marked by attacks from masked groups using stones and incendiary devices, has prompted the government to strengthen public order controls ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Opposition parties and civil rights organizations have expressed concern that the new laws could infringe on constitutional rights and increase police powers excessively.
**Why this matters**
The new security laws represent a significant shift in Italy’s approach to public demonstrations and law enforcement, raising questions about balancing public safety with civil liberties. With the Winter Olympics approaching, the government is prioritizing measures to prevent disorder, but critics warn that expanded police powers and preventive detention could undermine the right to peaceful assembly and lead to increased tensions between authorities and citizens.
Source: NewsData