Italian police arrest four in nationwide anti-terrorism operation, fifth suspect at large

Italian Carabinieri (national gendarmerie) have arrested four individuals in Bologna, Milan, Monfalcone, and Perugia as part of a terrorism investigation.

A fifth suspect, who is outside Italy, has been charged in absentia, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. All five accused are under 30 and of foreign origin, with one being a minor.

The group is accused of supporting Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State through the Italian segment of the internet. Investigators believe the group's formation was orchestrated by a young woman of Pakistani origin from Bologna, who quickly recruited an 18-year-old Algerian woman from Spoleto.

They were later joined by other members, including young men of Moroccan and Turkish descent.

To recap, in September 2023, the National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office launched a detailed investigation into radical jihadist networks, with a focus on the dissemination of extremist propaganda online.

The internet has once again been identified as a potent tool for radicalization, drawing young individuals—often second-generation immigrants or Italians searching for a sense of identity—into the ideological sphere of global jihadism.

A significant feature of global jihadism revealed by this investigation is the increasing involvement of young people, including minors, lured by online propaganda. These individuals often become agents for spreading extremist ideologies and pose an unpredictable security threat, with some appearing willing to act on their radicalized beliefs.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated social isolation, has accelerated this phenomenon, making the internet an even more powerful vehicle for radicalization. Investigators uncovered alarming activities among the suspects, who not only engaged in spreading propaganda but also actively recruited new followers, including the younger brother of the primary suspect.

Moreover, the group maintained contact with international jihadist networks and was allegedly planning to travel to areas controlled by extremist militias.

By Aghakazim Guliyev