Alleged Milan rioting 'mastermind' uses right to remain silent before judge

(ANSA) - ROME, 27 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, used the right to remain silent during questioning before a preliminary investigations judge (GIP) at the city's San Vittore prison on Tuesday. Siher, who was detained last weekend, alleged created and ran the the "October 17 Movement" social media channels that played a crucial role in the mayhem. He is accused of incitement to commit a crime, with the intent to commit terrorism an aggravating factor. His wife, a cultural mediator, is also under investigation for the same alleged crimes. The GIP is set to rule on prosecutors' request for Siher to remain in custody based on whether there is a risk of him fleeing or reoffending. Prosecutors said Monday that Siher possessed a level of technical expertise that would have enabled him to "develop a revolutionary strategy" in their arguments in favour of his being remanded in custody. His lawyers, however, asked the GIP to let him go. "He did nothing wrong," said attorneys Benedetto Ciccarone and Yasmina Abu Shara. "There was no incitement to violence, there is no terrorism, there is no crime". (ANSA).
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