Members of the climate protection movement “Ultima Generazione” (Last Generation), who are held responsible for leaflet campaigns and environmental “provocations” at monuments in the northern Italian city of Padua, are being investigated for criminal conspiracy. This was announced by the Italian judicial authorities today. The group has been responsible for road blockages and defacing of private and historic buildings since 2020.
The suspicion of a criminal conspiracy was raised by the public prosecutor’s office in Padua. The investigation began in 2020 when several posters criticizing “destructive big business” appeared in some city center shop windows belonging to major clothing chains.
Through the analysis of public and private surveillance videos, the police managed to identify a young man who lived in the city and whose home was searched. The young man was considered “one of the promoters and organizers” of the environmental movement in the city.
After graffiti on monuments and soiling of works of art by climate activists, the Italian government wants to punish vandalism of cultural assets more severely.
