Turin Erupts in Violence as Anarchist Clashes Leave Over 100 Police Injured; Meloni Vows Crackdown

Turin, Italy – The northern Italian city of Turin was the scene of intense urban warfare over the weekend as a protest march spiraled into violent confrontations between anarchist-led demonstrators and police forces. The clashes, which left 108 security personnel injured, have prompted a forceful condemnation from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and raised fresh concerns about organized far-left militancy in Europe.

The violence erupted during a demonstration in support of the "Askatasuna" social center, a building long occupied by far-left activists that was recently cleared by authorities. Reuters images depicted riot police engulfed in clouds of red smoke, while video footage showed demonstrators, many clad in black, hurling projectiles and advancing on police lines. Protesters deployed a range of weapons, including Molotov cocktails, stones, smoke bombs, and improvised explosives, setting fire to dumpsters and an armored police vehicle and using street furniture as barricades and weapons.

In a stark response, Prime Minister Meloni visited injured officers at Turin's Le Molinette hospital, sharing graphic details of the assault on social media. "Against them: hammers, Molotov cocktails, nail-filled paper bombs, stones launched with catapults," she wrote on X, quoting one officer who said, "They were there to kill us." Meloni labeled the perpetrators "organized criminals" and their actions "attempted murder," vowing zero tolerance for attacks on law enforcement.

Analysts point to the eviction of the Askatasuna center as a catalyst for the unrest. Dr. Lorenzo Vidino, Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, noted that Turin has historically been a hub for anarchist and hardline communist groups. "What you have here is a network of not just Italian but European anarchists and communists, often mobilizing around symbolic causes," Vidino told Fox News Digital. He drew parallels to similar coalition-based violence seen in other European cities and parts of the United States.

The incident has triggered a broader political and security reckoning. On Monday, Meloni chaired an emergency meeting at Palazzo Chigi to assess the violence and plan enhanced public safety measures. The clashes underscore the persistent challenge posed by militant factions within protest movements and test the resolve of Italy's right-wing government.

Voices from the Public

Marco Rossi, 42, Small Business Owner in Turin: "This isn't protest; it's terrorism. These masked individuals destroyed parts of our city and tried to kill officers protecting us. Meloni is right to be tough. We need order, not chaos."

Chiara Esposito, 28, Graduate Student in Political Science, Milan: "While the violence is condemnable, we must ask why tensions reached this point. The systematic closure of social spaces for dissent creates a pressure cooker. The government's heavy-handed approach is part of the problem."

Luca Bianchi, 55, Taxi Driver in Rome: (Emotionally charged) "I'm sick of it! Every time there's a protest, it turns into a war zone. These anarchists are a cancer. They hate Italy and everything it stands for. The police showed restraint—they should have used more force to clear the streets immediately!"

Elena Moretti, 37, Journalist based in Bologna: "The imagery is shocking, but the analyst is correct—this isn't unprecedented. It reflects a deep-seated, radical subculture that reacts violently to perceived state repression. The link to the attack on La Stampa newspaper offices shows a dangerous escalation targeting institutions."