Edward Marchesi The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered the arrest of Youssef Siher , the 30-year-old believed to be the leader of the so-called October 17 Movement page and group , linked to the clashes that occurred in central Milan . The operation was launched following a lengthy interrogation at the Police Headquarters and follows investigative activities coordinated by the relevant ministerial offices.
Contested charges and regulatory framework
The suspect is charged, among other things, with the crime of aggravated incitement to commit a crime for the purpose of terrorism and the offense provided for in Article 420-bis of the new decree law, concerning organized violence at public demonstrations . Under the aforementioned provisions, anyone who promotes or directs terrorist organizations is subject to a penalty ranging from 7 to 15 years of imprisonment, if the offenses set forth in the code apply.
Individual provisions
The Milan Prosecutor's Office ordered Siher's detention after a lengthy interrogation. His partner is under investigation but is at liberty on the same charges. Along with the personal arrest warrants, law enforcement conducted searches and seized computer equipment to reconstruct any organizational mechanisms and contact network connected to the movement.
Personal profile and links with institutions
Youssef Siher is described as a 30-year-old with a non-Italian family background living in the province of Brescia . His public profile includes references to his knowledge of multiple languages: " I am bilingual in Italian and Arabic and speak fluent English and Spanish ," a phrase that was included in his online presentation. Among the experiences cited is an internship completed in 2024 at ISPI ; the institute later clarified that there are no ongoing collaborations after that year.
Relations with the media and public activities
Siher's professional profile mentions occasional collaborations with national newspapers. His public involvement also emerged through his participation in demonstrations, including marches and protests, and through his use of digital platforms attributed to the October 17 Movement organization. The Ministry of the Interior's Department of Public Security indicated that the chat considered to be the driving force behind the movement was initiated by profiles linked to him.
The investigations focused on both the methods of online communication and the ability to translate mobilizations into street initiatives, with particular reference to the episodes that occurred on October 17 in the Lombardy capital, when the protests recorded moments of tension in the center of Milan.
Police interventions and investigative activities
The police operations involved the Milan Police Headquarters and specialized units for the acquisition of devices and digital material. The searches were carried out not only in homes linked to people close to him, but also in properties connected to his registered residence in the Province of Brescia . Investigators worked on the electronic traces to reconstruct the dissemination of messages and mobilization orders.
The investigative activity ultimately led to the arrest warrant issued by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office , which coordinated the action of the relevant offices. The procedural framework remains evolving as the investigating authorities continue to analyze the seized materials to clarify roles and responsibilities in the charges.
The case has reignited public debate on how protests are organized and the use of digital platforms to mobilize, issues being closely monitored by the relevant authorities and institutional observers.