MILAN, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni denounced anti-Olympic protesters as “enemies of Italy” after violence on the fringes of demonstrations in Milan on Saturday night and sabotage attacks on the country’s rail network.
The incidents took place during the first day of competition at the Winter Games between Italy’s financial capital Milan and the Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Meloni praised the thousands of Italians who she said were working hard to make the Games go smoothly and show Italy’s positive side.
“There are also those who are enemies of Italy and Italians who stage ‘anti-Olympics’ demonstrations and ensure that these images are played on TV screens around the world. After others cut railway cables to stop trains from leaving,” she wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
In Milan, a group of about 100 protesters threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police after breaking away from the main demonstration.
An estimated 10,000 people took to the city streets to protest against housing costs and environmental issues related to the Olympics.
Police used water cannons to maintain order and detained six people.
Also on Saturday, authorities said vandals damaged rail infrastructure near the northern Italian city of Bologna, disrupting train travel.
Police reported three separate incidents at different locations, causing delays on motorway, intercity and regional services for up to 2-1/2 hours.
No one claimed responsibility for the loss.
Meloni, leader of the right-wing League, added: “Solidarity once again with the police, the city of Milan and all those who will see their jobs undermined by these criminal gangs.”
Italian police have been given new arrest powers after violent far-left protests in Turin over the weekend left more than 100 police officers injured.
(Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
