Key facts
- Judge Tiziana Landoni ordered the release of researcher Youssef Siher.
- Siher was accused of inciting violent protests and orchestrating them.
- Meloni called the judge's decision "shameful" and an "unbearable humiliation" of police work.
- The judge found no serious grounds for the charges or risk of flight.
- Siher denied any wrongdoing and was not found to have supported violent actions.
An Italian judge ordered the release of a university researcher accused by police of helping orchestrate violent protests, a decision that infuriated Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Judge Tiziana Landoni stated there were no serious grounds to believe Youssef Siher committed the charges of incitement to commit crimes with alleged terrorist purposes, nor was there a risk of flight. Meloni, however, called the decision "shameful" and an "unbearable humiliation" of police and investigators. Police had identified Siher as the administrator of a Telegram group linked to violent protests, alleging he published "subversive content" and called for gatherings on October 24. The judge noted that Siher did not encourage or support the violent actions advocated by other group members. The case involved a new offense under a recent security decree enacted by Meloni's government.