Bari Mayor calls for peaceful protests following police operation

Bari Mayor Vito Leccese has issued an appeal for peaceful demonstrations following a police operation aimed at preventing potential violence and looting in the city center. The intervention, coordinated by the State Police, the Anti-Mafia District Directorate, and the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office, targeted a group of young individuals, including minors, allegedly planning to loot local shops.

Leccese praised the promptness of law enforcement in acting preventatively but expressed concern regarding the young age of those involved in the investigations. He emphasized that the right to protest is a constitutional value that must be protected from violence.

In a separate statement, the Mayor criticized the national government for allegedly ignoring proposals from metropolitan mayors to increase security presence. He noted that a previous suggestion to implement inter-agency patrols for every 25,000 inhabitants was not adopted. Additionally, Leccese addressed economic concerns, arguing that government funds used for tax abolishments could be better utilized to combat the rising cost of living through fuel excise cuts or free public transport.