‘Enemies of Italy’: Meloni slams anti-Olympics protesters after violence

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemns anti-Olympics protesters as “enemies of Italy” following violence on the fringes of a demonstration in Milan last night and sabotage attacks on the national rail network.

The International Olympic Committee also joins in the criticism, saying violence has no place at the Games.

The incidents happened on the first full day of competition in the Winter Games that Milan, Italy’s financial capital, is hosting with the Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Meloni praises the thousands of Italians who were working to make the Games run smoothly and to present a positive face of Italy.

“Then there are those who are enemies of Italy and Italians, demonstrating ‘against the Olympics’ and ensuring that these images are broadcast on television screens around the world. After others cut the railway cables to prevent trains from departing,” she writes on Instagram.

The Italian Transport Ministry says an investigation into suspected terrorism had been launched after the railway sabotage near the city of Bologna yesterday and that those responsible will face a multimillion euro damages claim.

A group of around 100 protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police after breaking away from the main body of a demonstration in Milan.

An estimated 10,000 people had taken to the city’s streets in a protest over housing costs and environmental concerns linked to the Games.

“Peaceful protest is entirely legitimate… We draw a line at violence. That has no place at the Olympic Games,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams tells a press conference.

Police report three separate incidents at different locations on the rail network yesterday, which caused delays of up to two and a half hours for high-speed, intercity and regional services.

“Decisive action will be taken to put an end to such unacceptable acts,” the Transport Ministry says.

No one has claimed responsibility for the damage, which echoed the opening day of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, when saboteurs struck France’s high-speed TGV train network, causing travel chaos.