Clashes at far-right coronavirus protest in Rome
A rally by Italian far-right extremists and hardcore football fans over the government's response to coronavirus has turned briefly violent.
The clashes in the centre of the administrative centre, Rome, started after a fight between demonstrators, reports say.
Police responded with water cannon and tear gas, and made several arrests.
Hundreds marched to call on the government to resign over its handling of the crisis and the damage wrought on the economy and jobs.
With more than 33,800 fatalities and 234,000 cases because the coronavirus outbreak began, Italy has been among the hardest-hit countries on the globe.
The protesters gathered in the ancient area around the Circus Maximus.
Clashes broke out as you of their representatives started out talking to the media, reports say.
Some demonstrators threw bottles, stones and smoke bombs towards the authorities, journalists and photographers, and shouted "journalists, terrorists", the AFP news agency reports.
One protester said those attending were persons who wanted to restore "legality and dignity in Italy".
"We are here to help make the whole world recognize that today in Italy, every group of staff is devastated and destroyed by a government that actually is not doing the interests of Italians," he told Reuters news agency.
Italy has entered its final phase in easing lockdown restrictions, allowing domestic travel between regions and opening its international borders.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has said the federal government was working to increase social payments and pledged "a serious tax reform".
Shops, cafes and restaurants had already opened their doors again, and tourist sites have begun welcoming tourists in recent days.
