In the Italian city of Turin, on January 31, demonstrators attacked law enforcement during protests, resulting in injuries to over 100 police officers. This was reported by the Italian agency ANSA on February 1.
The attack occurred during a demonstration against the eviction from the Askatasuna social center. At least three assailants have been arrested, including a 22-year-old man from the province of Grosseto, who was caught while beating police officer Alessandro Calisti with his fists, feet, and hammers.
According to Rai News, about 1500 people participated in the street battles in Turin. Among them were anarchists, autonomists, antagonists, organized groups, and individuals. They wore dark clothing, masks, helmets, and balaclavas. The attackers threw stones, glass bottles, and firecrackers at the police and set police vans on fire.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the attacks as attempts to commit murder.
“When you hit someone with a hammer, you do it knowing that the consequences can be very, very serious. This is not a protest, nor is it a clash. This is called an attempt to commit murder,” Meloni stated, according to ANSA.
Investigations are ongoing to identify all those responsible not only for the attack but also for the civil unrest that has engulfed the city.
Twenty-four individuals suspected of resisting arrest, illegal possession of weapons, and failure to comply with government orders are currently in police custody, Italian media reports.