Turin Erupts in Violence as Cultural Centre Eviction Sparks Mass Riot
Left-wing activists have inflicted serious injuries on more than one hundred police officers during a violent riot in the historic Italian city of Turin. The chaos erupted in protest against the forced closure of the Askatasuna cultural centre, a long-standing hub for leftist activism in the region.
Shocking Attacks on Law Enforcement Captured on Video
On Saturday night, what began as a peaceful demonstration involving an estimated 15,000 people descended into severe disorder. Groups of masked individuals broke away from the main protest, launching a sustained assault on security forces. Protesters hurled stones, smoke bombs, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails at police lines. The violence escalated as rubbish bins and a police van were deliberately set alight, creating a dangerous and chaotic scene.
Disturbing video footage from the event shows the extreme brutality faced by officers. One clip captures a police officer lying defenceless on the ground, being repeatedly kicked and beaten by several assailants. In a particularly alarming moment, one attacker is seen using a hammer to strike the officer. The victim's helmet was knocked off during the assault, and he was seen desperately trying to crawl to safety while under continued attack.
Another officer, clad in full riot gear, was filmed bravely rushing to his colleague's aid. Using his riot shield, he protected the injured man from further harm, illustrating the perilous conditions faced by law enforcement.
High Number of Casualties and Government Condemnation
Authorities have confirmed a significant toll from the clashes. In total, 108 members of the Italian security forces sustained injuries. This figure includes 96 police officers, seven personnel from the Guardia di Finanza (the Financial Police), and five carabinieri. The 29-year-old officer subjected to the hammer attack suffered serious injuries but, fortunately, is not in a critical condition. At least one demonstrator was also removed from the scene with head injuries.
In response to the violence, security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons in an effort to disperse the aggressive crowds. At least three individuals were arrested during the confrontations, with one arrest directly linked to the attack on an officer. Investigations are actively ongoing to identify and apprehend other perpetrators involved in the rioting.
The Italian government has reacted with fierce condemnation. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that her administration will convene a special meeting to assess the threats to public order and evaluate potential new security measures. In a powerful statement, she declared the hammer attack constituted not a protest, but 'attempted murder'. She emphasised, 'When you hit someone with a hammer, you do so knowing that the consequences can be very, very serious.' Meloni further called on prosecutors to apply existing laws stringently, warning, 'If we are unable to defend those who defend us, there is no rule of law.' In a social media post, she vowed, 'We will do what is necessary to restore order in this country.'
Political Fallout and Accusations
The political repercussions of the riot are intensifying. Italy's Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, labelled the violent protesters as 'a danger to democracy'. He accused certain factions within the political left of effectively 'covering for' these extremist groups, suggesting a troubling complicity. Echoing this grave assessment, Lieutenant General Salvatore Luongo, commander of Italy's carabinieri, described the protesters' actions as nothing less than 'an attack on the state'.
The eviction of the Askatasuna social centre, which served as the catalyst for this large-scale dissent, has exposed deep social and political fractures in Turin. The incident raises urgent questions about public order, the limits of protest, and the security of those tasked with maintaining law and order in Italy.
