​​​​​​​ROME

Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said Tuesday that law enforcement prevented more serious devastation during violent clashes in Turin, accusing protesters of seeking to escalate conflict with institutions and deepen instability.

“The great work done prevented the far more serious damage that was in the plans of the protesters,” Piantedosi said as he addressed the lower house of parliament, where the violence has fueled a heated debate over security and public order.

Piantedosi said the Interior Ministry had deployed major reinforcements ahead of Saturday’s demonstration, with about 1,000 officers from police departments. Authorities also increased territorial control and monitoring of “railway stations, airports, highways and border crossings to intercept individuals known for specific previous offenses,” he said.

The protest was organized against the closure of Turin’s anarchist social center Askatasuna, which authorities cleared in December.

Piantedosi said the protesters’ strategy was aimed at “raising the level of conflict with the institutions and, through disorder and violence, at consolidating the anarcho-antagonist galaxy and galvanizing its members.”

He also criticized left-wing politicians who joined a peaceful march in support of Askatasuna, saying they provided “cover” for violent protesters.

“Those who march alongside criminals offer them prospects of impunity,” Piantedosi said, drawing applause from the conservative side of the chamber.

Italy’s center-left opposition has accused the government of exploiting the unrest to justify stricter security rules that could limit free expression and the right to protest.

A video of a police officer isolated from his colleagues and being hit with a hammer by a protester went viral.

The conservative government is fast-tracking a security decree after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the attack against the policeman "attempted murder."

Authorities arrested three men following the violence, and police reported more than 20 other individuals on various charges.

Officials said 108 security personnel were injured in the clashes. Police said protesters threw bottles, stones, homemade incendiary devices and smoke bombs, set fire to rubbish bins and a police armored vehicle, and used street furniture as weapons.

Meloni said the government would accelerate a security package already under discussion and expected to be approved at a Cabinet meeting later this week, urging the opposition to cooperate.

Possible measures include preventive police detention of at least 12 hours for repeat violent offenders, restrictions on knife sales to minors, and expanded self-defense protections extending beyond police to other citizens.