Italian law enforcement is investigating a major digital trail linked to the unrest that struck the centre of Milan on 17 and 18 October. The inquiry is currently following two primary paths: the activities of the so-called 17 October Movement and a WhatsApp group containing more than 230 members that reportedly coordinated violent tactics.
The investigation by the Monza and Brianza Digos unit began after a message was discovered in the group advising participants not to wear balaclavas immediately to evade police identification. On 22 October, acting on a warrant from the Milan juvenile prosecutor’s office, officers searched the residence of a teenager suspected of writing the post. They recovered a balaclava and an Under Armour T-shirt believed to be stolen during the looting. A subsequent search of another minor yielded a second T-shirt of the same brand, also suspected to be loot.
Digital forensics on the first teenager’s phone provided investigators with a significant breakthrough, revealing a WhatsApp group where members discussed weapons, smoke bombs, and firecrackers. Conversations included explicit plans to target law enforcement officers, steal their weapons, damage police vehicles, and set fire to public buildings. Specific messages documented in the inquiry included directives such as “And we steal their weapons,” “Let’s grab one, beat him up and take his weapon,” and calls to set fire to government facilities. The chats also referenced potential looting, including mentions of a “Gucci robbery” and a McDonald’s.
These discussions, which also hinted at violent demonstrations planned for 24 October, prompted a nationwide preventive operation. On that day, 150 searches were executed across several provinces, coordinated by the Central Directorate of Preventive Police. In the Brianza area, 32 individuals across 16 municipalities faced checks. Officers seized a variety of offensive weapons, including folding and butterfly knives, a hatchet engraved with the “1312” code for ACAB, knuckledusters, telescopic batons, and blank-firing pistols without safety caps.
Youssef Siher, who is accused of running the 17 October Movement’s social media channels, was detained on 24 October. He faces charges of incitement to commit crimes, aggravated by terrorist intent, and organised violence during public demonstrations. On Tuesday, Siher exercised his right to remain silent during a hearing at Milan’s San Vittore prison before preliminary investigations judge Tiziana Landoni. Prosecutors Marcello Viola and Francesca Crupi have requested that he remain in custody due to risks of flight and reoffending. Siher’s lawyers, Benedetto Ciccarone and Yasmina Abu Sharar, have denied the allegations of inciting violence or terrorism and are seeking his release. A judicial decision on his detention is expected by 28 October.
