Clashes in Val di Susa; four people arrested. Meloni and Piantedosi visit the scene
Four foreign nationals, believed to be linked to the so-called ‘Black Block’ group, were detained by the State Police as part of the investigation into the clashes that took place near the Turin–Lyon construction sites. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi visited the Val di Susa.
Key points
Four foreign nationals have been arrested by investigators from the Turin Police Headquarters as part of the investigation into the disturbances that took place on Saturday afternoon near the TAV construction sites in Val di Susa, when several hundred protesters, disguised in black clothing and gas masks, stormed the TAV construction sites, attacking the police officers stationed to protect the areas. The four are believed to be linked to the so-called ‘Black Bloc’; their roles are currently being examined by investigators, and the charges against them are not yet known.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, carried out an inspection visit to Val di Susa: after arriving early in the morning at Turin Caselle Airport, they travelled to the valley by helicopter. Waiting for them were the Chief of Police, Vittorio Pisani, together with the Turin Police Commissioner, Massimo Gambino, and the Prefect of the Piedmontese capital, Donato Cafagna.
“One hundred and twenty law enforcement officers were injured in last Saturday’s clashes against the Turin–Lyon high-speed rail infrastructure. A scene that can be clearly seen here behind us – this is not a scene of war, it is the scene of an alleged protest. But this is not dissent; this is organised, premeditated violence, and as such it must be treated,” said the Prime Minister. Giorgia Meloni added that ‘we will do everything we can to bring these people to justice, and we also call on those responsible – the judiciary and all investigators – to do their utmost, because a normal state cannot tolerate such behaviour’.
Over 800 people identified as leaving the No Tav Alta Felicità Festival
More than 800 people have been identified by the police during checks carried out since the early hours of this morning in Venaus, in Val di Susa, following the conclusion of the Alta Felicità Festival organised by the No Tav movement. The police headquarters has announced that the operations are aimed at identifying everyone who took part in the camp set up for the event. A further 436 people had already been identified yesterday. The investigations into the attacks on the construction sites, coordinated by the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office headed by Giovanni Bombardieri, are focusing on the offence of vandalism. In addition to the charge of vandalism, further charges may be brought against individuals in court. In the last few hours, State Police investigators have detained four foreign protesters, believed to belong to the so-called ‘Black Bloc’, whose circumstances are still being examined by the investigators.
Piantedosi: attacking someone in uniform is tantamount to attacking the State
“To attack someone in uniform is to attack the State,” said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in an interview with *Corriere della Sera*, referring to the No Tav protests in Val di Susa, which followed the clashes in Bologna. “It is now clear to everyone that there is an international network of violence and disorder that uses any issue as a pretext to engage in hooliganism and pure, unadulterated violence. There is no point beating about the bush. That is why, regardless of any other analysis, it would be more appropriate than ever for all forces that claim to be democratic to distance themselves without hesitation or pretence,’ declared the minister, who believes that ‘the facts demonstrate’ that the target of the violence is the police.
