Violent Clashes in Turin After Askatasuna Eviction Leave More Than 100 Officers Hurt; Meloni Vows Firm Response
Violent clashes erupted in Turin’s Vanchiglia on Jan. 31, 2026, during a national demonstration after the eviction of Askatasuna, leaving more than 100 security personnel injured as masked groups attacked police with projectiles and incendiary devices.
Key takeaways
- Large protest turned violent: A national rally over the Askatasuna eviction devolved into street battles between masked demonstrators and police (video and media coverage reported).
- 108 security personnel injured: Officials later reported 96 police officers, 7 Guardia di Finanza and 5 carabinieri injured during clashes.
- Heavy tactics used: Protesters employed bottles, stones, fireworks, smoke bombs and homemade incendiaries; police used tear gas, water cannons and charges.
- Government vows action: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited injured officers, denounced the violence and promised strict measures and judicial action.
What happened
Organizers said tens of thousands joined a national rally in Turin to protest the closure of Askatasuna, an occupied social center active for nearly 30 years. Crowd-size estimates varied widely, with some organizers and independent reports putting numbers between 15,000 and 50,000. The march began peacefully, with unions, leftist groups and local residents taking part.
Tensions rose when a masked group broke from the main march and moved into the Vanchiglia neighborhood. Video shows black-clad demonstrators throwing objects and setting fires in the street, pushing police lines back in multiple places as red smoke and flames filled the air.
Police response and injuries
Police described the violence as resembling “urban guerrilla warfare” and responded with tear gas, water cannons and targeted charges to restore order. Authorities later updated injury counts to a total of 108 security personnel: 96 police officers, 7 Guardia di Finanza and 5 carabinieri. Earlier tallies had been lower before the update.
Officials reported incidents including attacks on police vehicles, street fires and improvised weapons used against officers. One officer was reportedly isolated and beaten, suffering bruises and a thigh wound that required stitches.
Government reaction: Giorgia Meloni condemns violence
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned the clashes, visited injured officers in hospital and posted photos of the visit on social media. She called the events “violent attacks aimed at the state,” labeled them criminal acts and described some incidents as “attempted murder.” Meloni said the government would meet to assess new measures and demanded strict judicial action.
“These acts were not protests but criminal activity — an attack on the state,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said following hospital visits and consultations with security officials.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini used hardline language as well. Piantedosi called the most violent demonstrators a “danger to democracy,” while Salvini labeled some attackers “terrorists” and urged prompt arrests, more evictions of occupied centers and a new security package. Carabinieri commander Lt. Gen. Salvatore Luongo called the episode an “attack on the state.”
Askatasuna social center: background and eviction
Askatasuna had been an occupied social center for nearly three decades, serving as a hub for far-left activists with cultural programs, political meetings and community services. Italian authorities recently moved to evict the center as part of actions against unauthorized occupations. Supporters organized the Turin demonstration to protest the eviction and defend activist spaces.
Videos and on-the-ground evidence
Multiple videos circulating online show masked demonstrators confronting police lines, throwing bottles and stones, and igniting fires in the street. Some footage depicts police forced back amid red smoke and burning debris; other clips show makeshift incendiary devices and uprooted street furniture used as weapons. These clips were widely shared on social media and republished by domestic and international outlets.
Key video and media sources include YouTube video and YouTube video, along with images circulated by international news agencies.
Investigations and arrests
Authorities reported at least two to three arrests connected to the violence and said investigations were ongoing. Interior Ministry officials said they were working to identify organizers of the most violent elements, trace sources of weapons and incendiary devices, and fast-track inquiries into the most serious assaults. Prosecutors may consider preventive detention for suspects linked to planned violence.
Why this matters now
The Turin clashes raise broader questions about balancing the right to protest with public safety, the handling of long-standing occupied spaces, and the response to politically motivated street violence without undermining civil liberties. The large number of injured security personnel and stark imagery of street battles have hardened national leaders’ tones and may prompt tighter policing and legal changes.
Implications for San Diego, California
Though the events occurred in Turin, San Diego officials and communities may draw lessons in several areas:
- Public safety planning: Local police and emergency planners might review crowd-control tactics, de-escalation methods and interagency coordination illustrated by Turin footage.
- Permit and event oversight: Policymakers may revisit permitting and staging rules to reduce risk when peaceful marches include splinter groups.
- Community relations: The city could face renewed calls for both stronger officer protections and robust safeguards for peaceful protest and oversight.
- Medical readiness: The high number of injured security personnel underscores the need for medical surge plans and mutual aid readiness.
Reporting and sources
This article draws on on-the-ground reporting, agency coverage and video evidence. Primary referenced sources include Anadolu Agency reporting on injuries and response, Anadolu Agency coverage of government reaction and meetings, and video documentation available via YouTube video and YouTube video. Independent reporting on protest size and context is available from freedomnews.
For fuller context and original multimedia, readers can consult the linked agency reports and video sources above.
