Italian police said messages in a WhatsApp group discussing attacks on officers and fires at public buildings led to about 150 searches on Oct. 24, in an inquiry separate from the case against researcher Youssef Siher. The operation follows earlier searches after the Milan clashes.
Police said a minor’s phone led investigators to a group with more than 230 members. Messages reportedly discussed assaulting officers, taking their weapons, damaging police vehicles and setting fire to public buildings. Police said the first lead was a post warning that wearing a balaclava too early could make users easier to identify.
An Oct. 22 search at one minor’s home turned up a balaclava and an Under Armour shirt that police suspected came from a looted Milan store. Officers later found another shirt of the same brand with a second minor. Messages also referred to possible robberies involving Gucci and McDonald’s; the police account does not say either business was robbed.
Police said the Oct. 24 operation involved about 150 searches across several provinces, mainly to find illegally held weapons and ammunition. ANSA, citing the search decree, reported more than 150 searches in Milan, Monza and 20 other cities, mostly in Lombardy.
In Monza and Brianza, police checked 32 people in 16 municipalities. Police reported seizing folding and butterfly knives, a hatchet marked “1312,” knuckledusters, a telescopic baton, two blank-firing pistols without red caps, glass breakers and balaclavas.
The chat inquiry is separate from the prosecution of Siher, 30, who was detained Oct. 24. Prosecutors accuse him of incitement to commit crimes aggravated by alleged terrorist intent and of organized violence at public demonstrations. The case concerns his alleged management of social media channels linked to the “17 October Movement.”
ANSA reported that Siher declined to answer questions from preliminary investigations judge Tiziana Landoni at a hearing on Oct. 27. ANSA also reported that his lawyers, Benedetto Ciccarone and Yasmina Abu Sharar, denied he incited violence or terrorism and asked for his release. In a report published Oct. 25, ANSA said investigators had not established a direct link between Siher and those behind the clashes and looting. Euronews reported that a decision on validating his detention and the remand request was expected by Oct. 28.
