Meloni calls security meeting after Milan cost-of-living clashes

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was set to hold an emergency security meeting on Monday after two days of violent clashes in Milan. The disorder followed protests over the rising cost of living that drew more than 5,000 people to the city over the weekend, BBC.

Clashes began on Saturday and continued into Sunday. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons after protesters threw paving stones, bins and chairs at officers, BBC.

Police detained 271 young people in Milan on Sunday, Reuters. The BBC reported more than 200 detentions in Milan, 80% of whom were minors. Milan's prosecutor's office requested prison sentences for five adults arrested for looting, vandalism and resisting arrest.

A separate police count said 28 protesters were arrested after clashes that erupted on Saturday, Reuters. Those clashes were reported in northern cities including Milan, Bologna and Brescia.

Meloni said people in Turin were detained while carrying cobblestones and window-breaking hammers. A train station in Bologna was closed as a precaution after similar disorder, BBC.

The weekend violence was preceded on Friday by student-led anti-government protests in various Italian cities. Meloni has backed law enforcement following the unrest across the country.