Italian Judge Frees Researcher Amid Prime Minister’s Outcry

On October 28, Milan judge Tiziana Landoni ordered the release of Youssef Siher, a 30-year-old freelance journalist of Moroccan origin, who had been detained on October 24 on charges of incitation to commit crimes with alleged terrorist purposes. Landoni concluded that the investigation was “deeply flawed,” finding no serious grounds to believe Siher had committed the alleged offences or posed a flight risk. The ruling also noted that posts urging protestors to gather on October 24 were authored by other members of the Telegram group “October 17 Movement,” not by Siher himself.

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The case is the first high-profile test of a new offence introduced in a security decree enacted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government earlier this month. The decree creates a crime for organizers of demonstrations that endanger public safety or cause damage, prescribing prison terms of four to twelve years. Prosecutors had framed Siher as a “dangerous militant,” linking him to the “October 17 Movement,” a Telegram channel formed after violent protests in Milan on October 17.

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Prosecutors have not commented on the release.

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• October 17 – Violent protests occur in Milan; the “October 17 Movement” Telegram group is created.

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• October 24 – Siher is detained by Milan prosecutors on incitement charges.

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• October 28 – Judge Landoni orders Siher’s release, citing lack of evidence.

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“There are no serious grounds for believing that (Siher) committed the offences with which he has been charged, nor is there a risk of flight,” — Tiziana Landoni, milan judge

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