Troops Deployed in Milan Following Protests
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 21 Oct 2026, 6:09 am AEST
Following days of protests and clashes in Milan, Italy deployed 500 army troops to the city to defend it. The government also approved measures including extending preventive detention for minors and introducing a new crime related to violent demonstrations.
What happened
- Italian authorities dispatched 500 army troops to Milan following two days of unrest marked by demonstrations, looting, and vandalism.
- Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini stated the deployment aimed to ‘defend Milan.’
- Shops in the city’s Via Montenapoleone luxury district closed early and boarded up windows, fearing further violence.
- Protesters, many believed to be minors, set bins ablaze and ransacked stores including Decathlon, Arc’teryx, and Vodafone.
- Italian police detained 271 young people during unrest on Sunday, with 32 arrests including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence and announced plans to curb violence by minors and crack down on youth gangs.
- The government is considering extending preventive detention for minors and introducing a new crime of ‘violent participation in a demonstration.’
- Police had previously arrested 28 protesters in northern cities including Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin.
Original reporting
- Guardian: Milan luxury shops close as Italy prepares to deploy troops in the city after days of protests
2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00 - France 24 English: Italy sends troops, toughens security laws after Milan clashes
2026-10-20T20:09:52+00:00