Lucrezia Ciotti Youssef Siher is freed following the decision of the Milan investigating judge, who rejected his request to confirm his arrest and ordered his immediate release . The researcher and pro-Pal activist remains under investigation, while the investigation into the riots in the Lombardy capital continues.
Youssef Siher, the Prosecutor's Office's accusations and the lawyers' defense
The preliminary investigations judge's decision rejects the request for validation presented by prosecutor Marcello Viola and prosecutor Francesca Crupi. According to the prosecution, the content published online by Siher contributed to the dissemination of messages attributable to a revolutionary and insurrectionary strategy , fueling a climate of tension . Investigators had hypothesized a form of incitement characterized by a particular capacity for persuasion, despite the absence of " direct references to the commission of acts of devastation and looting " in the contested posts.
The activist, assisted by lawyers Benedetto Ciccarone and Yasmina Abu Sharar, chose not to answer questions during interrogation and not to provide the DIGOS with the code to unlock his cell phone. The lawyers contested the charges, arguing: " There was no conduct inciting violence, there is no terrorism, there is no crime ." They added that their client was convinced he had exercised " his constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and rights ."
Judge rejects arrest warrant for Youssef Siher, ordering immediate release.
As reported by Corriere and Il Giorno , the Milan investigating judge has rejected the prosecutor's request to confirm the arrest of Youssef Siher, a 30-year-old researcher and pro-Pal activist, ordering his release from San Vittore prison. The decision is centered on the lack of serious evidence to support the charges and the lack of legal grounds for his arrest . The judge ruled out the possibility that the conduct attributed to the suspect could be classified as aggravated incitement to crime with the aim of terrorism and organized violence at public demonstrations, a crime introduced by the recent security decree.
Siher was arrested in connection with his social media activity through the Telegram channel Movimento 17 ottobre, which has approximately 11 subscribers, and an Instagram page with 50 followers. The accounts were apparently created after the clashes and devastation that occurred in central Milan between October 17 and 18.
With his release, Siher remains under investigation at large , while the prosecutor's office continues its investigation. His wife, Sarah Hammoud, is also reportedly under investigation as part of the same investigation, as highlighted by Il Giorno.