Six people have been arrested after police clashed with protesters in Milan, one of the hosts of the Winter Olympic Games, during the first day of the competition. Thousands took to the streets of the city in northern Italy on Saturday to protest against a range of issues including the cost of living. Some fired flares and threw stones at police, who responded with water cannon.
It comes after the government tightened protest laws in the wake of a demonstration last weekend in Turin that left more than 100 officers injured, according to government figures. Meanwhile, officials are investigating suspected sabotage on northern Italy's railway network on Saturday.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described those involved in confrontations in Milan as 'criminals'. 'Just days after the shameful violence in Turin, more clashes, more attacks on law enforcement,' he said, expressing pride in advocating a new security package for more effective policing. The recent protest in Milan was largely peaceful, with notable dissent over the environmental and social sustainability of the Olympic Games as voiced by protestors, pointing to excessive expenditure on infrastructure instead of preserving natural landscapes.
On the same day, chaos hit northern rail networks due to suspected attacks, including severed cables and a fire affecting services. RFI, the country's railway operator, confirmed that regular service has since resumed. The Winter Olympics, which commenced on February 8, will last until February 22, bringing attention as Italy hosts various events across multiple locations.
It comes after the government tightened protest laws in the wake of a demonstration last weekend in Turin that left more than 100 officers injured, according to government figures. Meanwhile, officials are investigating suspected sabotage on northern Italy's railway network on Saturday.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described those involved in confrontations in Milan as 'criminals'. 'Just days after the shameful violence in Turin, more clashes, more attacks on law enforcement,' he said, expressing pride in advocating a new security package for more effective policing. The recent protest in Milan was largely peaceful, with notable dissent over the environmental and social sustainability of the Olympic Games as voiced by protestors, pointing to excessive expenditure on infrastructure instead of preserving natural landscapes.
On the same day, chaos hit northern rail networks due to suspected attacks, including severed cables and a fire affecting services. RFI, the country's railway operator, confirmed that regular service has since resumed. The Winter Olympics, which commenced on February 8, will last until February 22, bringing attention as Italy hosts various events across multiple locations.
