Moroccan-Italian Man Arrested in Probe Into Italy’s October 17 Movement
Four days after citing Morocco’s Gen Z as one of its inspirations, the October 17 Movement is at the center of an investigation in Italy. A 30-year-old Italian of Moroccan origin, suspected of managing its social media accounts, has been arrested in Milan.
On October 20, the Italian collective said it operated without a president or spokesperson. Its manifesto said it had studied protest movements around the world, including Morocco’s Gen Z. On Saturday, October 24, investigators identified Youssef Siher as the suspected administrator of its Instagram page and Telegram group.
On Bladi.net : Italian Youth Protest Movement Says It Studied Morocco’s Gen Z Mobilization
The 30-year-old Italian citizen of Moroccan origin was arrested on the orders of the Milan prosecutor’s office, the ANSA news agency reports. The investigation follows clashes that marred youth protests in the city center on October 17.
Investigators suspect him of encouraging the commission of offenses through his posts. The accusations reported by ANSA also include organized violence at demonstrations and an offense related to terrorism. His wife is also under investigation, but remains free.
A researcher who studied at the University of Milan
Before this case, Youssef Siher studied communications, then political science at the University of Milan. He collaborated with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), which specializes in geopolitics, and with the daily newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. ISPI says their collaboration ended in 2024.
The Italian news agency also reports that Siher posted on Facebook in September about protests by Moroccan youth. He described difficulties in healthcare and education as symptoms of a deeper political and economic problem.
According to Rai News, the October 17 Movement advocated a horizontal structure and regular Saturday gatherings. Despite the suspect’s arrest, demonstrations were held again on October 24 in several Italian cities, including Turin and Rome.
