Turin police execute 16 precautionary measures over 31 January Askatasuna clashes

The operation

Police began executing a set of precautionary measures early on the morning of 5 November 2026, targeting 16 people. The orders were issued by the preliminary investigations judge in Turin and include pre-trial custody in prison, house arrest, bans on staying in Turin and a requirement to report daily to the judicial police. The Digos unit of the Turin police headquarters, led by Rita Fabretti, is carrying out the operation at the end of an investigation coordinated by the city's prosecutor's office. Some of the people named in the orders live outside Turin. Searches were under way at the same time in Piedmont, Lombardy and Tuscany.

The clashes of 31 January

The measures concern violence at a national demonstration held on 31 January 2026 against the eviction of the Askatasuna social centre. The centre, at corso Regina Margherita 47, had been cleared on 18 December after about thirty years of occupation. In the afternoon, part of the march broke away towards corso Regina Margherita, aiming for the former centre's premises. Clashes broke out nearby, with masked protesters throwing stones, bottles, flares and petard bombs at officers, who answered with water cannon and tear gas. Dumpsters were set alight to build barricades, and a police armoured vehicle was set on fire with an officer on board. A further officer was surrounded, stripped of his helmet and shield, and struck with kicks and a hammer.

Charges and suspects

The charges include attempted murder, aggravated damage and aggravated injuries, and they vary from person to person. One suspect is accused of the assault on the armoured vehicle that was set alight with an officer aboard. Another is accused of being part of the group that surrounded and beat the officer. A third person is described by investigators as one of the leaders of Askatasuna. According to Il Giornale, the officer inside the burning vehicle was dragged out by two Guardia di Finanza personnel before it was too late. Investigators are reviewing the positions of the suspects and have reconstructed individual responsibilities for the violence.

Earlier steps and the injured

Before the current operation, 14 searches were carried out in several Italian provinces in October, and the Turin prosecutor's office served 19 orders scheduling pre-trial interrogations. Attempted murder was already among the offences under investigation against one suspect over the fire on the police vehicle. During the 31 January disorder, 103 members of the law enforcement forces were injured, with prognoses of up to 100 days. The figures below summarise the counts reported in the investigation.

Precautionary measures16

Searches in October14

Pre-trial interrogation orders19

Officers injured on 31 January103

Precautionary measures

16

Searches in October

14

Pre-trial interrogation orders

19

Officers injured on 31 January

103

Data from the article text