Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has strongly condemned the recent anti-Olympics protests in Milan and the alleged sabotage of railway infrastructure in northern Italy, calling those responsible “enemies of Italy and Italians.”
In a statement shared on Facebook early Sunday, Meloni said some protesters staged demonstrations “against the Olympics,” creating images that spread worldwide. She also referred to the cutting of railway cables, which reportedly prevented trains from operating normally.
Meloni expressed solidarity with the police, the city of Milan, and all workers involved in running the Games, including many volunteers, saying their efforts were being harmed by criminal groups.
Terrorism Investigation Opened
Italy’s transport ministry confirmed that it has opened a terrorism investigation into what it described as synchronized sabotage of railway lines on Saturday — the first day of the Games.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, the first incident happened around 6 a.m. at the Bologna rail hub, a major center that controls train movement between northern and southern Italy. Another incident was reported in the Pesaro area, affecting trains along the Adriatic coast.
ANSA reported that railway infrastructure was either burned or cut in both cases. No group has claimed responsibility so far.
The transport ministry said it plans to seek millions of euros in compensation from those behind the sabotage. Thousands of passengers faced major delays lasting several hours.
Clashes Near Olympic Venue in Milan
On Saturday evening in Milan, Italian police used tear gas and a water cannon against dozens of protesters who threw firecrackers and tried to access a highway near a Winter Olympics venue.
This confrontation happened after a much larger and mostly peaceful march. Police said the march involved around 10,000 people, who protested the environmental impact of Olympic construction and raised concerns about the presence of U.S. agents in Italy.
Police later blocked a smaller group of violent protesters who appeared to be attempting to reach the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey rink. By that time, the larger peaceful crowd had already dispersed.
New Security Law Sparks Debate
The protests come shortly after Meloni’s government approved a security decree allowing police to detain people for up to 12 hours if there are reasonable grounds they may disrupt peaceful protests.
Opposition lawmakers criticized the measure, calling it an attack on freedom of expression.
IOC Reaction
International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams said peaceful protest is legitimate, but violence has no place at the Games.
Why ICE Was Mentioned
The protest also coincided with a visit to Milan by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was in the city as head of the American delegation.
Some protesters objected to the presence of ICE agents, even though officials said only a small number of officers from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (a unit focused on cross-border crimes) would be present mainly within U.S. diplomatic territory. There is no indication that immigration enforcement teams are being deployed on Italian streets.
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