Milan judge frees Youssef Siher, accused of inciting protests; Meloni calls ruling "shameful"

Mixed · 2A Milan judge has ordered the release of Youssef Siher, a 30-year-old researcher accused by police of helping orchestrate violent protests in Italy this month. 1 2 Mixed · 2Siher is described as an Italian freelance journalist and geopolitics graduate of Moroccan origin. Milan prosecutors detained him on 24 October on charges of incitement to commit crimes, aggravated by alleged terrorist purposes, and he has always denied wrongdoing. 1 2 Mixed · 2Police had identified Siher as the administrator of the Telegram group "October 17 Movement", created after violent protests in Milan. According to the detention order, he published what investigators called "subversive content" and messages calling on protesters to gather on 24 October to commit offences against public order. 1 2

Mixed · 2Judge Tiziana Landoni rebuked the prosecutors, who had portrayed Siher as a dangerous militant, saying the investigation appeared deeply flawed. She wrote that there were "no serious grounds for believing that (Siher) committed the offences with which he has been charged, nor is there a risk of flight". 1 2 Mixed · 2Landoni said the comments in question were posted by other group members, not Siher, who "was not found to have encouraged or in any way supported the violent actions advocated by those users". 1 2 Mixed · 2Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denounced the decision as "shameful". In a video on social media she called it "an unbearable humiliation of the work of the police and investigators" and said she did not know how "a normal state can defend decent people in the face of these decisions by certain sections of the judiciary". Prosecutors did not immediately comment. 1 2

Mixed · 2The case is notable because prosecutors relied on a new offence introduced under a security decree enacted by Meloni's government this month as part of its law-and-order crackdown. It carries prison terms of four to 12 years for organisers of groups that, while taking part in public demonstrations, endanger public safety or cause damage. 1 2 Mixed · 2Siher's arrest has raised concern among legal observers and members of the Italian Bar Association. Critics also questioned the extensive media coverage, with some Italian newspapers portraying him as guilty and detailing his life and family. 1 2