A 27-year-old man of Algerian origin was arrested by Polizia locale after allegedly slashing the face of a 23-year-old woman of Moroccan origin on the platform of the Duomo metro station in Milan. According to witness accounts reported by several news outlets, the man shouted at the woman: "What are you looking at? I am a man and a Muslim," before striking her.

The incident occurred around 3:35 PM on the yellow line platform, northbound, at the Duomo station. According to reconstructions by investigators, the 23-year-old, who was with friends and family after spending the day in the city center, allegedly had brief eye contact with the man. Despite the woman's denial of having stared at him, the man reportedly insulted her, then punched her in the face and subsequently cut her cheek and lip with a small knife. The wound, extending from the lip to the neck, was assessed as permanent by plastic surgeons at the Policlinico, where the woman was transported in code yellow with significant blood loss.

After the attack, the man attempted to flee on foot but was pursued and stopped by Polizia locale officers present in the station, who intervened after hearing the victim's screams. The chase ended outside the metro, in via Torino near via Falcone.

The man was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and illegal possession of a weapon. The prosecutor on duty, Simona Ferraiuolo, authorized the arrest. The primary charge under consideration is that of permanent facial disfigurement, punishable by 8 to 14 years in prison. The prosecution may also evaluate additional aggravating factors, including hatred against a woman and racial or religious discrimination, given the words the man allegedly uttered. These aggravating factors have not yet been formally charged.

The 27-year-old, reportedly residing irregularly in Italy, had been arrested the previous night for theft and damaging parked cars and was released after the arrest was validated, with a ban from residing in the area. In the coming hours, the prosecutor will forward the request for validation of the arrest and a precautionary measure to the judge for preliminary investigations.

The victim reportedly did not know the attacker.