Italy deploys army and approves tougher anti-riot laws after violence

Italy will crack down harder on urban violence after rioting over the weekend in Milan, which saw damage and looting. The disturbances that took place in Italy initially began with peaceful protest over the rising costs of living and poor public services. The country's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, announced new security measures, which included changes to youth justice, as many young people were involved in the disturbances. The preventive detention, which until now applied only to adults, will also be applied to minors. 500 more soldiers will deploy in Milan until the end of the year and alongside police and carabinieri, we are assigning more judges to the youth justice system and more places in detention facilities because the certainty of the punishment applies even to those who are 16 years old. Maloney said a child as young as 11 was implicated in the violence. Parents will also have to pay for damages their children cause. The decree creates a new criminal offence of violent participation in a demonstration, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Penalties increase if offenders cover their faces or someone is injured. Maloney said that her government supported the right to protest, but by peaceful means, such as those used by truckers who blocked roads, angry at the high cost of fuel. Authorities fear there will be further unrest at demonstrations planned for Saturday.