A Milan judge has ordered the release of Youssef Siher, the man accused of organizing recent violent riots in the city, prompting sharp criticism from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
Siher, 30, of Moroccan heritage and described as a veteran of Milan’s pro-Palestine movement, was arrested over the weekend on accusations he organized the so-called “October 17th Movement,” the group blamed for staging violent riots in the city in recent days. He is also the subject of a separate investigation by the Genoa Public Prosecutor’s Office examining allegations that he helped provide financial support to Hamas.
Italian outlets reported that Siher was found at a friend’s apartment with his wife, Sagia Hammoud, at the time of his arrest. Hammoud is also under investigation on possible “incitement to commit a crime” charges, accused of helping manage the Telegram and Instagram accounts the October 17th Movement used to organize its protests.
After four days in preventive detention, Milan Preliminary Investigations judge Tiziana Landoni ordered Siher released, rejecting a request from the local anti-terrorism prosecution unit for pre-trial detention. Public broadcaster Rai reported that Landoni found “no serious evidence of guilt” against Siher, concluding that his posts and statements “never suggest resorting to violent actions.”
The judge also determined that Siher had not cited the violent riots “as a model for carrying out the forms of protest and collective mobilization he proposed.” Rai reported Landoni based this finding on the fact that Siher “did not even mention” the riots and that “nor can it be said that the suspect incited or instigated the commission of such conduct.”
Meloni and Salvini respond
Meloni called the release “shameful” in a video posted to her official social media accounts.
“I believe this is an unbearable affront to the work of law enforcement, investigators, the Ministry of the Interior, and, in general, all those who strive to protect law-abiding citizens from the risk of seeing their cities and businesses destroyed,” Meloni said.
She added: “I truly do not know how a normal state can protect law-abiding citizens in the face of such decisions by certain members of the judiciary.”
Salvini also criticized the decision in a social media video, noting that Landoni is among the signatories of a 2025 “jurists’ appeal for Gaza” document.
“I ask the judge and Youssef: if there is more violence, more incidents, or more damage during the demonstrations in Milan and throughout Italy in the coming days, who will pay? Will you pay? Your Honor? Will you pay? Mr. Youssef?” Salvini said.
Rai reported that Landoni has faced heavy criticism on social media since ordering Siher’s release.
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