Meloni condemns ‘enemies of Italy’ after clashes in Olympics host city Milan

MILAN, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned anti-Olympic protesters as “enemies of Italy” following violence on the sidelines of a demonstration in Milan on Saturday night and sabotage attacks on the national rail network.

The incidents occurred on the first full day of competitions at the Winter ‌Games, hosted by Milan, Italy’s financial capital, with the Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Meloni praised the thousands of Italians who he said worked to ensure the Games ran smoothly and presented a positive face of Italy.

“And then there are those who are hostile to Italy and Italians, who demonstrate ‘against the Olympics’ and ensure that these images are broadcast on television screens around the world. Then ‘others cut the railway cables to prevent the trains from leaving,'” he wrote on Instagram on Sunday.

A group of about 100 protesters threw fireworks, smoke bombs and bottles at police after separating from the main body of a demonstration in Milan.

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

Police used water cannon to restore order and detained six people.

Also Saturday, saboteurs damaged rail infrastructure near the northern Italian city of Bologna, disrupting train travel, authorities said.

Police reported three separate incidents at different locations causing delays of up to 2-1/2 hours on high-speed, Intercity and regional services.

No one took responsibility for the damage.

“Once again, we stand in solidarity with the police, the city of Milan and all those who see their work undermined by these gangs of criminals,” added Meloni, who leads a right-wing coalition.

Italian police have been given new arrest powers following violence at a protest in the far-left city of Turin last weekend, in which more than 100 police officers were injured.

(Written by Keith Weir; Edited by Aidan Lewis)