Italy deploys army to Milan after weekend violence and looting

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan and new security measures following weekend urban violence and looting in the city. The measures, approved in a Council of Ministers decree, include a new criminal offense for "violent participation in a demonstration," punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to 20,000 euros. Penalties increase for masked offenders or those causing injuries, and parents will be held financially liable for damages caused by minors. The decree also reverses the burden of proof for minors aged 14-18, presuming they understand their actions, and extends preventive detention to minors. Meloni described the Milan violence as "unacceptable scenes" that cannot be minimized or justified.