The suspects are members of a group on messaging app Telegram called “I Guerrieri” (The Warriors), where the use of weapons and DIY explosives at “No Green Pass” demonstrations has been discussed, according to a police statement.
The group was said to be planning to attend a protest this weekend in Rome but the suspects are also accused of “inciting the other members to carry out violent actions” in their home regions against unspecified “institutional targets” or during visits by government ministers.
Some members of the group also planned a meeting where they intended to procure “white weapons” (non-firearms) for use at the Rome protest, the statement said.
The raids were carried out in Milan, Rome, Venice, Padua, Bergamo and Reggio Emilia.
Weapons such as knives and clubs were seized, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Since August 6, Italy’s green pass has been required to dine indoors, access gyms or attend crowded venues like concerts.
This month, the requirements were extended to domestic travel on planes, trains, buses and ferries, although local transport is exempt.
The pass certifies that the carrier has been vaccinated, tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous 48 hours or recovered from the virus.
Only about 3 per cent of Italians are estimated militantly against vaccines, according to a study by the University of Milan, but violent threats have increased in recent weeks.
A journalist was attacked by a protester at an anti-green pass protest outside the education ministry, and a pro-green pass teacher received a bullet in the mail.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi last week expressed “solidarity” with those attacked by anti-vaccine activists, saying it was “a particularly hateful and cowardly violence when it is directed against those who are in the front line against the pandemic”.
