Alleged 'mastermind' of Milan rioting to appear in court

(ANSA) - ROME, 26 OTT - Youssef Siher, the alleged mastermind of the shocking rioting and looting that took place in Milan on the weekend of October 17, is set to appear in court on Monday for a hearing on whether to keep him in custody after he was arrested at the weekend. Siher, a 30-year-old Italian researcher and freelance journalist with Moroccan roots, 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 couple allegedly ran a 'Movimento 17 Ottobre' (October 17 Movement) Telegram group and an Instagram profile with the same name. In Siher's arrest warrant, prosecutors said he carried out a "plan aimed at committing criminal acts with subversive intent, with the goal of effectively instilling terror in the population." Investigators are looking into possible links between the researcher and a group of seven people arrested in December 2025 for allegedly using a network of charities to fund Hamas and into possible links to Russian hackers. Protests against war and against the cost-of-living crisis took place in many Italian cities on Saturday amid a big security presence and, while violence marred the demonstrations in Turin, Rome and Bologna, the unrest was not as bad as in Milan the previous weekend. There will be another big tests for public order in Italy on Friday, when grassroots union USB and students are set to take to the streets again for more protests. (ANSA).
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