A flurry of precautionary measures has been taken following investigations into the guerrilla warfare that erupted in Turin during the national demonstration calling for the eviction of the Askatasuna social center on January 31st. State police are in action in several cities, including Cagliari .
A total of 19 orders were approved by the investigating judge , scheduling a preliminary hearing. The Turin Prosecutor's Office charges the suspects—all militant "antagonists" residing in the Sardinian capital, as well as Genoa, Florence, Imperia, and Reggio Emilia —with the crimes of aggravated resistance and assault to a public official, criminal damage, misrepresentation, possession of offensive objects, robbery, and attempted murder.
"On that occasion," investigators explain, "over a thousand protesters, most of them completely disguised and dressed in black, deviated from their pre-arranged route and headed toward the building located at number 47 Corso Regina Margherita . For approximately two hours, they attacked the police stationed there to protect the building, throwing stones, bottles, explosive devices, and other blunt objects. They also set up flaming barricades to impede the advance of the contingents, injuring 103 members of the police force, with a prognosis of up to 100 days."
Investigators reconstructed the incident, stating that the protesters also set fire to a Turin Mobile Unit vehicle, which was carrying a police officer, and attacked another officer with kicks and hammer blows, after stealing his helmet and shield. During the violent acts, numerous businesses, apartment buildings, private vehicles, and banks were also damaged, as well as street furniture and garbage bins.
Upon notification of the order, 14 house searches were also carried out by order of the judicial authorities.
(Unioneonline)