Milan riots: WhatsApp correspondence with 230 members, searches and Sier's silence in court

Two lines of investigation

The investigation into the riots that swept through central Milan on 17 and 18 October is proceeding along two separate lines. The first is correspondence discovered by police in a WhatsApp group with more than 230 members. The second is the Milan prosecutor's office investigation into Youssef Sier, who is accused of organizing and disseminating content related to the so-called 'October 17 Movement'. This is reported by Euronews.

Threatening messages and searches of teenagers

The Digos of Monza and Brianza opened an investigation after discovering a message in the chat in which a user advised not to put on balaclavas right away so as not to be identified by police. On 22 October, on a warrant from the Milan juvenile prosecutor's office, the home of the teenager believed to have written the message was searched: a balaclava and an Under Armour T-shirt were found, which is believed to have been stolen from a store looted in Milan. A second minor was found to have another identical T-shirt. The first teenager's phone led investigators to a large WhatsApp group: members discussed weapons, knives, smoke bombs and firecrackers, plans to attack police officers, take their weapons, damage police cars and set public buildings on fire. Among the messages cited by investigators are 'And we will steal their weapons', 'Let's grab one, beat him and take his weapon' and 'If we are going to protest, let's set a government building on fire'. Car theft and attacks on businesses were also discussed, with mentions of 'robbing Gucci' and McDonald's. The chats also mentioned demonstrations planned for 24 October that could turn violent; the information gathered helped launch a nationwide preventive operation.

150 searches across Italy

On 24 October, about 150 personal and home searches took place in several Italian provinces, coordinated by the Central Directorate of Preventive Police with the participation of Digos and flying squads from various cities. The main goal was to find illegally stored weapons and ammunition. In Brianza, checks covered 32 people in 16 municipalities, including Monza, Seregno, Giussano, Carate Brianza, Limbiate, Nova Milanese and Desio. Seized items included folding and butterfly knives, a small axe with '1312' engraved on the blade — the numeric code for the acronym ACAB — brass knuckles, a telescopic baton, two blank-firing pistols without red safety plugs, glass breakers, balaclavas and other items classified as offensive weapons. The investigation continues to establish the alleged actions of other involved individuals.

Sier exercised his right to remain silent

Sier was detained on 24 October; he is charged with incitement to commit crimes aggravated by terrorist intent and with organized violence during public demonstrations. According to the prosecution, he runs the social media of the 'October 17 Movement', created after the clashes in central Milan. On Tuesday, during questioning by preliminary investigation judge Tiziana Landoni at Milan's San Vittore prison, Sier exercised his right to remain silent. Landoni must decide whether to uphold the detention and grant the request of chief prosecutor Marcello Viola and prosecutor Francesca Crupi for pre-trial custody; the prosecution cites the risk of flight and reoffending. A decision is expected by 28 October. The defence — lawyers Benedetto Ciccarone and Yasmin Abu Sharar — denies that Sier incited violence or terrorism and asks for his release.