Italian police arrest 28, including 12 minors, after cost-of-living protest clashes as tensions persist in Milan

Italian police arrested 28 people, including 12 minors, after clashes at cost-of-living protests in several cities on Saturday, while tensions continued in central Milan on Sunday, Sky TG24 reported.

Police said 197 people were identified and taken to police stations, 43 were referred to judicial authorities and 141 law enforcement officers were injured. The demonstrations, organized by the Italia in Piazza movement, opposed rising living costs, fuel prices and tax pressures. Police estimated turnout at about 5,000 in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 600 in Brescia and 800 in Bergamo.

In Milan, groups threw stones, bottles, firecrackers and barriers at officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannon. Shops were damaged and looted, and a Carabinieri vehicle was destroyed. Confcommercio, a retail association, estimated damage to shops and businesses at more than €500,000.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with law enforcement and urged opposition parties to condemn the violence unequivocally.