This week's sometimes violent
protests against new COVID restrictions were not centrally
organized and coordinated but involved separate groups of
far-right and far-left extremists, soccer ultras and criminal
elements, according to a national committee for public order and
security meeting chaired by Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese
and involving top police, intelligence and security officials on
Wednesday.
The portests, it said, did not have a "single organisation".
Protesters the objects including bottles and flares and clashed
with police in several cities including Rome, Milan and Turin
after protests in which shop windows were smashed and other
damage to property inflicted.
There had been speculation that ultra groups were organising.
The government has shut gyms, swimming pools, cinemas and
theatres and made bars and restaurants stop serving at six
o'clock amid a COVID spike.
It has passed relief measures including aid packages for the
affected sectors.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
