In a series of operations carried out at various points across the country, Italian officers have arrested dozens of minors in police stations following the use of a new preventive detention protocol during protests. The procedure is applied when authorities believe that an individual may participate in disturbances later on.
The mechanism was officially announced as part of the public security policy led by Giorgia Meloni's government and has been dubbed by media outlets as 'the black hoodie crime'. This term emerges as popular criticism over the fact that young people are subjected to arrests before even demonstrating, merely for wearing common clothing or being associated with specific social groups.
Legal context
According to reports from Italy's Ministry of Justice, the new regulation establishes that authorities can detain individuals prior to a protest if there are reasonable indications about their possible involvement in disturbances. The measure is based on Law 104/2023, which expands police powers to prevent incidents during public events.
Criticisms and flaws
Multiple youth rights advocacy organizations have expressed concern over the use of this tool against minors. In an announcement published last November, El País reported that at least 67 adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years were detained in police stations across Rome, Naples, and Milan under this protocol.
The Ministry of Justice has not officially confirmed the exact number of cases nor the specific details about each individual case. However, official sources indicate that all detainees have since been released without formal charges, in accordance with Italy's penal code for minors.
Public Reactions
Several opposition political leaders have criticized the use of the new mechanism against youth. In a statement issued through their website, the Italian Democratic Party stated that 'the imposition of preventive sanctions against adolescents violates fundamental human rights and juvenile protection principles'.