Italian police have raided the homes and searched the computers of eight people suspected of planning violence during protests against the country's coronavirus passport.

According to AFP, the suspects are members of a group on messaging app Telegram called “The Warriors”, where the use of weapons and DIY explosives at “No Green Pass” demonstrations have been discussed, according to a police statement.

They were said to be planning to attend a protest this weekend in Rome but are also accused of “inciting the other members of the group to carry out violent actions” in their home regions against unspecified “institutional targets” or during visits by government ministers.