Rome Cops Nab 12, Including Far-Right Leaders, After Riots

Rome police have arrested 12 people - including two leaders of a far-right party - after protests against coronavirus restrictions turned into serious riots, Italian media reported on Sunday, Manuel Schwarz reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Photo Insert: Giuliano Castellino participating in a meeting of an anti-abortion group

The leaders of Forza Nuova, Giuliano Castellino, and Roberto Fiore, were present during the violence in the Italian capital on Saturday after tens of thousands had taken part in an authorized march.

Police, who were involved in several clashes with demonstrators and were pelted with firecrackers, are also checking video footage to see who else should be detained.

About 30 people attacked the emergency room of a hospital late on Saturday where one of the arrested protesters was being treated for an injury. The rioters broke down the door and clashed with police as well as ambulance workers, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Four people were injured, including a nurse who took a bottle to the head. According to media reports, some rioters tried to advance on the official residence of Prime Minister Mario Draghi but were stopped by police water cannons.

Authorities also used tear gas.

The headquarters of Italy's largest trade union CGIL was also stormed and three police officers were injured. Footage on social media showed rioters attacking officers with sticks and flagpoles. Politicians have reacted with shock. Violent protests are rare in Italy.

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