Rome Police Detain 91 Anarchists in First Use of New 2026 Security Decree Rules

Rome police detained 91 people on Sunday during a banned anarchist demonstration at the Parco degli Acquedotti, applying for the first time new preventive detention rules introduced by a security decree approved in February 2026. The gathering had been organized to commemorate Sara Ardizzone and Alessandro Mercogliano, two anarchist militants who died on March 19 in the explosion of an explosive device inside a farmhouse located within the park. Roberto Massucci, the Questore of Rome, had formally prohibited the gathering, but dozens of people defied the ban. More than 50 anarchists arrived around 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Via Lemonia and Circonvallazione Tuscolana, near a church close to the site of the March 19 explosion. Law enforcement, including mounted units and riot police, blocked access to the park at multiple entrances. Those detained were taken to Questura offices for fingerprinting and assessment of possible mandatory expulsion orders, a step authorized by the on-duty prosecutor who confirmed the legal grounds for the detentions. Some of those detained had refused to identify themselves and were found to be masked, according to the Rome Police Headquarters.

Security decree's preventive detention powers used for first time The detentions marked the first application of preventive stop provisions contained in the decreto sicurezza, a security decree approved in February 2026. Under the new rules, authorities can detain individuals deemed dangerous or suspicious at banned gatherings when a duty prosecutor confirms the legal grounds. The Rome Police Headquarters stated that 91 people met that threshold, citing their refusal to identify themselves and their presence at a prohibited event. Some wooden poles were seized during the operation, according to Tgcom24. During the brief commemoration that preceded the detentions, participants sang songs and laid bunches of red and black flowers — the symbolic colors of the anarchist movement — at the site near the farmhouse. Carabinieri intelligence units and DIGOS officers continued checks throughout the area after the detentions were carried out.

91 (people) — preventively detained at banned Rome anarchist gathering

Second march surfaces in Quarticciolo hours later A second demonstration took place later the same day in the Quarticciolo area of Rome, despite the broader security operation. Around 12:30 p.m., approximately 70 people from anarchist circles gathered and staged a march that reached Viale Alessandrino, stopping near a park at the height of Via del Campo, according to La Repubblica. A banner at the front of the march read: "One day we must die, but all the others no," followed by the names of activists who had died, including Sara Ardizzone and Alessandro Mercogliano. Authorities had sought to prevent a regrouping after the morning detentions, with patrols deployed throughout the southeastern sector of the capital. The area around Parco degli Acquedotti remained under special surveillance throughout the day. A further gathering had also been announced by anarchist groups for the Modesto di Veglia park, at the corner of Via Trani and Via Molfetta, according to ANSA.

Investigators probe whether bomb was meant for police station The March 19 explosion that killed Sara Ardizzone and Alessandro Mercogliano occurred while the two were handling an explosive device inside an abandoned farmhouse in the Parco degli Acquedotti, in the Appio Claudio area of Rome. Investigators hypothesize the bomb was being prepared for an attack, according to multiple sources. Il Giornale reported that the intended target was the Tuscolano police station, located in the same southeastern quadrant of the city. Two people were questioned by investigators in the days following the explosion, according to web search results. Online anarchist messaging groups circulated messages of tribute and solidarity after the March 29 detentions, with some posts expressing tones of emulation, according to il Giornale. One message cited by the outlet read: "Sara and Sandro, comrades who died in action, are and will always be in our hearts."

The Parco degli Acquedotti is a roughly 240-hectare urban park in Rome's Municipio VII, forming part of the regional Appia Antica park. Its name derives from the presence of seven Roman and papal aqueducts that once supplied ancient Rome. The Quarticciolo neighborhood, where the afternoon march took place, is located in Municipio Roma V in the Alessandrino district. Italy has a long history of anarchist and far-left militant activity, particularly in Rome and other major cities, with periodic confrontations between security forces and protest movements over public order legislation.

Key events: Rome anarchist explosion and aftermath: — ; — ; — ; —