Police raid in Bari foils teen plot to loot shops

Italian police conducted a dawn operation across the province of Bari, coordinated with the anti-mafia directorate and the juvenile prosecutor's office, targeting a large group of youths suspected of planning to loot shops. The investigation alleges the group was preparing to ransack stores in Bari's city center, inspired by similar events in Milan last weekend. The suspects face charges including incitement to commit crimes of devastation and looting with terrorist intent, as well as illegal possession of weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Police monitoring of social media revealed the youths were organizing attacks on high-fashion, sporting goods, and electronics stores along major shopping streets, and were allegedly seeking weapons and tools to use against law enforcement. Numerous searches and interrogations are currently underway by the Digos and the Mobile Squad of the Bari police headquarters. The operation follows the recent unrest in Milan, which appears to have served as a catalyst for the planned actions.