Surrounded and robbed by a group of North Africans: The account of journalist Alessandro Gonzato
Journalist Alessandro Gonzato recounts being assaulted and robbed by a group of North African individuals while traveling home from work in Milan.
On a typical Saturday night, journalist Alessandro Gonzato was leaving the office of Libero and took the train home. However, a familiar path turned into a nightmare when he was assaulted by individuals of Maghreb origin just before disembarking. The assailants targeted him to steal the gold necklace he wore, which, while not of high monetary value, held significant sentimental worth for Gonzato.
The incident occurred at the Villapizzone station in the outskirts of Milan, after a short ride from the Lancetti station. During this time, Gonzato noticed that the group of assailants was behaving suspiciously, with one member going up and down the stairs and others circling around him, seemingly checking for the presence of a ticket inspector. He described this behavior as a common sight when using public transportation in Milan, indicating familiarity with unsafe situations.
In a matter of moments, while he held his phone in one hand and was taken by surprise, Gonzato quickly realized he was being targeted. This experience highlights ongoing concerns over safety and crime in public transport settings in Italian cities, raising questions about the social dynamics and safety measures needed to protect citizens.