Italy tightens protest laws after Milan riots, holds parents liable for minors

Italy announced new security measures Tuesday to combat violent protests after weekend riots in Milan's central shopping district, where looters, many minors, set fires and damaged property. The decree includes deploying 500 additional soldiers to Milan through year-end. Premier Giorgia Meloni's decree makes parents liable for damage caused by minors, eases prosecution of those over 14, and creates a new offense of violent protest participation punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to 20,000 euros. It also presumes those over 14 understand their actions unless proven otherwise. The measures follow two days of unrest that injured over 100 police officers, with more than 30 of roughly 50 arrests being minors. The riots coincided with French demonstrations over living costs and student grievances.