Italy Probes Possible Russian Role in Mass Protests, Bloomberg Says

Italian officials are trying to establish whether outside forces, including Russia, were involved in large-scale protests that were accompanied by clashes, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

According to the sources, the Italian government asked for information on the role, if any, that foreign provocateurs, including Russian ones, may have played in protests that have swept European cities in recent weeks.

“Hybrid war” claim

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto earlier said that the unrest that flared up in Milan and other parts of the country over the weekend was a result of a “hybrid war” against the West.

On October 17 anti-government protests spread across Italy’s big cities. They were organized following the example of larger demonstrations in France, which during a previously announced “social mobilization” grew into clashes with police, violence and looting. On Sunday, October 18, Italian police detained more than 200 people on the second day of protests in Milan. Several hundred soldiers are now to be deployed in Milan to strengthen security. Media reported that an emergency government meeting discussed, among other things, the possibility of introducing a curfew.