The Askatasuna social centre in Turin was seized and evicted this morning by the Digos , after a search as part of the investigation into the attacks on the offices of the newspaper La Stampa, the OGR and Leonardo during pro-Palestinian demonstrations .
In the building at Corso Regina Margherita 47, occupied since 1996 and considered the last stronghold of the Autonomy movement, whose name means "freedom" in Basque, six activists were found at dawn on the third floor.
After the eviction, workers arrived to close all entrances . Some activists, accompanied by a lawyer, first asked law enforcement to enter to retrieve two cats and some clothes. They were escorted inside by the DIGOS (Italian Special Operations Unit).
Outside, a crowded gathering of activists chanted slogans while waving a Palestinian flag and a Counter-Power Autonomy flag.
As part of the police operation, eight searches were also carried out at the homes of some militants. The crimes reportedly include damage, defacement, invasion of buildings, resisting a public official, and assault .
«A clear signal from the State: there must be no room for violence in our country», writes the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi on X.
"This social center represents an entity that falls outside the bounds of democratic coexistence and the rules. We therefore welcome the actions of the judiciary and the Ministry of the Interior and thank, once again, the law enforcement agencies engaged in the field to restore legality and respect for the law," declared the President of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio.
For one of the center's spokespersons, Stefano, today's operation is a "clear indication from the Meloni government to stop the struggles for Palestine that have taken place in recent months, with massive marches throughout Italy."
«What we see – he adds – is an obviously muscular attitude on the part of the police forces and it seems clear to us that even the mayor Lo Russo, obviously giving in to the fascist wishes of the government, wants to close down experiences like that of the Askatasuna social centre, which has been present in the Vanchiglia neighbourhood and in Turin for almost thirty years».
