An anarchist group has claimed responsibility for a series of railway sabotage incidents in northern Italy, coinciding with the start of the Winter Olympic Games. This took place on a Saturday, leading to significant disruptions in train services, particularly around Bologna, where delays lasted up to 2.5 hours for high-speed and regional services. Authorities reported no injuries or damage to trains, indicating the primarily logistical nature of the incident.

The anarchists stated that the current political climate, especially the progressive repression of protests by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has rendered traditional public demonstrations ineffective. In their statement shared online, they asserted the need for alternative forms of protest to challenge the government effectively. They emphasized the importance of adopting secretive methods and decentralized forms of confrontation, indicating a shift towards self-defense and sabotage as tactics to resist state actions.

This kind of protest strategy raises important questions regarding public safety and governmental response during a high-profile international event such as the Winter Olympic Games. The implications of these actions may lead to increased security measures and potentially alter public dialogue about the balance between freedom of expression and public safety, particularly in contexts where sporting events attract significant international attention.