Italian Researcher Arrested in Milan Riot Probe; Wife Investigated

Youssef Siher, a 30-year-old Italian researcher of Moroccan origin, was arrested Saturday on charges including incitement to commit crimes with terrorism aggravating circumstances and organized violence at public demonstrations, as administrator of the "Movimento 17 ottobre" social channels linked to riots in Milan. His wife is also under investigation. Siher's interrogation is scheduled for Tuesday before a judge in Milan, where prosecutors allege he exploited the October 17-18 riots to create a Telegram group of thousands to pursue an "eversive project" aimed at instilling terror. Authorities cite his references to an "Egyptian revolt manual" and calls to replicate French unrest as grounds for the terrorism charge. The Genoa prosecutor's office is investigating possible links between Siher and suspects in a separate Hamas financing inquiry, while investigators also suspect coordination with pro-Russian hackers "Noname" for coordinated attacks on October 24. Siher worked for AI startup Mercor and had collaborated with Italian media and research institutions.