Italian Government Expands Police Arrest Powers After Major Riot in Turin
en01.web.id – Italy. The Italian government has formally approved a national security decree granting police broader arrest and preventive detention powers, following a major riot that erupted in the city of Turin, in the Piedmont region, in late January 2026. The decision was taken after authorities concluded that existing legal tools were insufficient to prevent the rapid escalation of mass violence.
The unrest began as a public demonstration in central Turin, near the Corso Giulio Cesare area, which initially proceeded peacefully. According to local authorities, the situation deteriorated when radical and anarchist groups infiltrated the crowd, triggering violent clashes with riot police deployed to secure the area. Demonstrators hurled stones, glass bottles and homemade fireworks at officers, while public property and police vehicles were vandalised.
The clashes lasted for several hours and spread to multiple locations across the city centre. The Italian Interior Ministry reported that more than 100 police officers were injured, some requiring hospital treatment for head injuries and burns. Law enforcement units were forced to use crowd-control equipment to restore order and prevent further damage to public infrastructure.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the violence in Turin exposed serious legal constraints faced by security forces on the ground.
“The state cannot allow violence to dominate our streets. Police must be equipped with effective legal instruments to prevent riots before they spiral out of control,” Meloni said after a cabinet meeting in Rome on Thursday.
Under the decree approved on February 5, 2026, Italian police are now authorised to carry out temporary preventive detention of individuals deemed likely to incite violence, particularly ahead of high-risk demonstrations, major sporting events, and large public gatherings. The measures also expand police discretion to intervene swiftly at riot scenes without lengthy administrative procedures.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the new powers are not intended to restrict civil liberties.
“The right to peaceful protest remains fully protected, but the state has a duty to safeguard citizens and officers from organised violence,” Piantedosi said. He added that preventive detention would be subject to strict time limits and judicial oversight.
The decree has drawn criticism from opposition parties and human rights organisations, which warn it could lead to abuse of power and undermine the presumption of innocence. Critics have called on the government to ensure the measures are applied proportionately and transparently.
The Italian government defended the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen public security ahead of major international events, including the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where authorities expect heightened security risks. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to increase vigilance to prevent a repeat of the violence seen in Turin.
Tim Redaksi
(rd/ks/jk)