TURIN — A Turin judge on Wednesday ordered that two young German nationals arrested over violent clashes at construction sites for the TAV Turin-Lyon high-speed rail link will remain in custody.
The pair were detained following Saturday’s protests in the Susa Valley, which quickly descended into severe unrest. During Wednesday’s hearing, the accused claimed they did not engage in any violent acts, maintaining that they had only attended the Alta Felicità (High Happiness) festival, an event organised by the No TAV movement.
Severe casualties and extensive damage
The scale of the violence has drawn sharp criticism from authorities and project officials. Telt, the international company overseeing the construction of the rail line, reported that the destruction at the Chiomonte site alone amounts to approximately €1 million.
The clashes also inflicted a heavy toll on security personnel. According to officials, 126 law enforcement officers — comprising members of the State Police, Carabinieri, and Finance Guard — sustained injuries during the turmoil.
Following a comprehensive investigation, law enforcement agencies have identified 436 suspects believed to have taken part in the violence. Officers confirmed that several individuals had travelled from abroad, including from France, Germany, and Belgium. Four foreign protesters remain in custody.
During operations at the scene, police confiscated an array of weapons and tactical gear from hooded rioters, including:
- Molotov cocktails
- Homemade explosive devices
- Gas masks
- Helmets
Government Response: “Organised, Premeditated Violence”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi travelled to the Susa Valley on Monday to inspect the destruction firsthand and express solidarity with injured officers following what officials have described as “urban warfare”.
“The scene you can see behind us is not a war zone; it is the scene of an alleged protest,” Meloni stated in a video message recorded at the Chiomonte site. “But this is not dissent; this is organised, premeditated violence, and it must be treated as such.”
“We will do everything we can to bring these people to justice, and we also call on those responsible — the judiciary and all investigators — to do their utmost, because a normal state cannot tolerate something like this.”
Despite the widespread condemnation and official investigation, the No TAV movement defended the actions taken over the weekend. In a statement posted to social media, the group hailed Saturday’s violent clashes as a “great day of struggle for the Susa Valley”.
