Italy Arrests 28, Including 12 Minors, After Cost-of-Living Protests Turn Violent

18/10/2026

ROME, Oct 18: Italian police arrested 28 people, including 12 minors, following violent clashes during cost-of-living protests in several cities on Saturday, while tensions continued in central Milan on Sunday, Sky TG24 reported.

Police said 197 people were identified and taken to police stations, while 43 people were reported to judicial authorities. The overall tally included 141 injured law enforcement officers.

The demonstrations, organised by the Italia in Piazza movement, were held against rising living costs, fuel prices and tax pressures. According to police figures, around 5,000 people participated in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 600 in Brescia and 800 in Bergamo.

Milan bears the brunt of violence

In Milan, groups of demonstrators threw stones, bottles, firecrackers and barriers at police officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds.

Several shops were damaged and looted around the city centre, while a Carabinieri vehicle was destroyed.

Police arrested 17 people in Milan. Retail association Confcommercio estimated that damage to shops and businesses exceeded €500,000 ($561,860), according to the broadcaster.

Tensions remained high in the city centre on Sunday, following the previous day's unrest.

Clashes spread to Turin and Bologna

In Turin, police arrested an adult on suspicion of resisting an officer and three minors allegedly found carrying Molotov cocktails.

A group also entered the Feltrinelli bookstore at Porta Nuova railway station and threw books onto the floor.

In Bologna, five minors were arrested following clashes near the railway station, where demonstrators threw bottles, stones and barriers. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds.

Meloni condemns violence

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with law enforcement officers and called on opposition parties to unequivocally condemn the violence.

She also acknowledged that thousands of people had participated in peaceful demonstrations, distinguishing their right to protest from the acts of violence.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said his League party would resubmit a parliamentary proposal requiring organisers of demonstrations considered high-risk to provide financial guarantees to cover potential damage.

The proposal would seek to ensure that damage arising from such demonstrations could be covered financially.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the protesters' grievances were understandable but stressed that attacks on police officers and extensive damage to the city were unjustifiable.

Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore also condemned the unrest, urging young people to distance themselves from individuals who use demonstrations as a pretext for violence.

The clashes have renewed debate in Italy over public safety, responsibility for damage during demonstrations and how authorities should respond to protests driven by economic hardship.

While the demonstrations centred on concerns over the rising cost of living, the violence and damage in several cities have drawn condemnation from national and local leaders.