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CRIME

Italy investigates Milan train station attacker for terrorism

Milan prosecutors have opened a terrorism probe into the man who stabbed two soldiers and a police officer on Thursday evening, according to Italian media reports.

Published: 19 May 2017 17:11 CEST
Italy investigates Milan train station attacker for terrorism
File photo of police on patrol outside Milan's cathedral. Photo: Olivier Morin/AFP

The attack took place during a routine check at the city's main train station at around 8pm on Thursday. The three victims were hospitalized but not in critical condition and one of the army officers had already been discharged by Friday morning.

READ MORE: Police officer and soldiers stabbed in Milan train station

Police initially told reporters that the attacker had been arrested for attempted murder and that the incident was not being treated as terrorism.

But later on Friday, prosecutors said they had opened an investigation into alleged 'international terrorism', according to a report by news agency Ansa. Police said they were investigating whether the man was behind a Facebook profile which had shared at least one video in support of terror group Isis, as well as whether he had ties to Islamic extremists.

The suspect came from a “difficult family”, police said in a press conference, and had been homeless for some time. He was known to authorities for drugs offences. After being arrested, he reportedly told police: “I am alone and abandoned.”

Tensions have been high around Milan's central station in recent weeks after police ordered dozens of migrants to move on from the area, in an operation involving helicopters, sniffer dogs, and mounted police at the start of the month. Milan's mayor later distanced himself from the raid, saying “these methods are not our model”.

READ ALSO: Terror threat in Italy: Low threat level, but rise in radicalization, says government panel

Lombardy's regional president, Roberto Maroni of the far-right Northern League, called for a planned pro-migrant march to be cancelled on Saturday “out of respect for the wounded officers”.

But mayor Giuseppe Sala hit back at the suggestion, saying: “The criminal who stabbed these law enforcement officers was Italian in all respects. Nevertheless, it is 'convenient' to blame this criminal act on migrants.”

Sala, who visited the injured officers in hospital, said he would lead the Together Without Walls march “for a safe and welcoming Milan.”

The terror threat in Italy is currently at level 2, the highest possible in the absence of a direct attack. The country has strengthened security measures, particularly in crowded areas and around major landmarks, following terrorist attacks on other European cities.

READ ALSO: How Italy keeps track of 80 terrorism alerts every day

MILAN

Milan approves new rules cracking down on noisy nightlife

Milan city council on Monday confirmed new rules aimed at limiting noise from nightlife in the city, with restrictions on the sale of alcohol - but no ban on late-night gelato, as was initially reported.

Published: 13 May 2024 16:14 CEST
Milan approves new rules cracking down on noisy nightlife

New legislation aimed at stopping noise from Milan’s nightlife from keeping residents awake will come into force in 12 of the city’s central districts from Monday, May 20th, remaining in place until November 4th.

READ ALSO: Milan announces plan to ban cars from city centre in 2024

Milan’s city council published an ordinance on Monday containing details of the much-debated temporary limit on the opening hours of outdoor terraces, takeaways and other food and drinks businesses, which it said would improve the lives of local residents without hitting business owners in the pocket.

According to the local edition of Corriere della Sera, the new rules limit:

  • Opening hours of bar and restaurant terraces, which must close no later than 1am and reopen no earlier than 6am. The limit is extended to 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Sales of takeaway alcoholic drinks from bars, shops and other businesses, which are prohibited between midnight and 6am.
  • Sales of food and drinks by street vendors between 8pm and 6pm.

The rules will apply in the areas of Nolo, Lazzaretto, Melzo, Isola, Sarpi, Cesariano, Arco della Pace, Corso Como/Gae Aulenti, Garibaldi, Brera, Ticinese, Darsena and Navigli, according to local media reports.

While initial reports ridiculed the measure as an “ice-cream ban”, councillors later clarified that “ice cream is not the target” and that the rules would focus on the sale of “drinks, especially alcoholic ones.”

OPINION: Why Milan is a much better city to live in than Rome

This was the latest set of temporary restrictions brought in by Milan’s city council, and follows the introduction of similar rules last October on weekends in the busy areas of via Melzo, via Lazzaretto and piazza Oberdan.

Previously introduced limits were criticised as ineffective by residents’ associations, who said noise levels would remain above safe limits, as well as business owners, who pointed out that many bars in central areas of the city already had an agreement in place to close outdoor terraces no later than 2am.

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