Moroccan teenager hospitalized after attack by more than 20 people in Italy

A 17-year-old Moroccan teenager was hospitalized after being assaulted by a group of more than 20 people in the Italian city of Genoa, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.

The attack took place on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. ANSA reported that the attackers, believed to be a mix of youths and adults, were allegedly armed with sticks and concealed their faces with scarves and helmets. They reportedly arrived on scooters and were captured by surveillance cameras.

The Genoa prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into aggravated assault. The inquiry is carried out by the San Fruttuoso police station, with support from Italy’s DIGOS special investigations unit in the event that political motives are identified.

According to ANSA, investigators are examining tensions in the neighborhood linked to the presence of a reception center for unaccompanied minors. The agency noted that local social media groups had for weeks circulated posts blaming some minors for acts of vandalism and petty crime, with certain comments allegedly inciting hatred and violence before being removed.