Siher 'capable of developing revolutionary strategy'

(ANSA) - ROME, 26 OTT - Youssef Siher, a 30.year-old Italian researcher and freelance journalist with Moroccan roots who has been accused of being the mastermind behind the shocking rioting and looting that took place in Milan on the weekend of October 17, is capable of developing a revolutionary strategy, prosecutors said Monday in their arguments in favour of his being remanded in custody at a hearing Tuesday. Siher, detained by order of the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office for allegedly being the mastermind behind the social media channel 'Movimento 17 ottobre' ('October 17th Movement'), reportedly possessed a level of technical expertise that would have enabled him to "develop a revolutionary strategy." This is one of the points highlighted by prosecutors in their request to validate the detention and impose pre-trial incarceration—a request based on the assessment that there is a risk not only of the individual fleeing, but also of him reoffending. In the request to validate the detention and impose a precautionary jail measure—filed by prosecutor Francesca Crupi of the counter-terrorism department, who is coordinating the investigation alongside Chief Prosecutor Marcello Viola—it is noted that Siher holds a "prominent profile within activist circles." He demonstrated "particular skill" by managing, in just a few days, to build a social media group with nearly 9,000 followers—most of whom are inclined to engage in "criminal conduct against public order." Furthermore, regarding the risk of reoffending, he reportedly possesses a "command of digital tools capable of developing a revolutionary strategy," including the drafting of statements designed to "gather thousands of people in public squares." The instructions provided to users point to a "clear strategic design," as the designated meeting points were chosen specifically "to evade law enforcement oversight." On Saturday, following intervention by investigators, the social media channels were shut down; consequently, the previously announced "instructions"—which included the names of specific squares in Milan where participants were to gather—were never disseminated. No trace of these instructions has yet been found during the digital forensic searches conducted on Siher's laptop. (ANSA).
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