Reggio Emilia, May 25 (LaPresse) – The State Police of Reggio Emilia and Bologna have arrested a 22-year-old Italian citizen of Moroccan origin, strongly suspected of recruitment for terrorism purposes, including international terrorism. The young man, who described himself as a supporter of the Islamic State, is believed to have expressed the intention to carry out an armed attack with a knife in the center of Reggio Emilia.
The investigations by the Digos, coordinated by the Prosecutor’s Office of Reggio Emilia and the Anti-Mafia Directorate of Bologna, were triggered after a tip-off received on Thursday evening, while highly attended events were taking place in the city, including a playoff basketball game between Reggio Emilia and Olimpia Milano and a concert in Piazza San Prospero.
The 22-year-old was located by officers while walking alone on a side street off Via Emilia. Investigators established that he was already known to the Central Directorate for Prevention Police and had been under monitoring since 2024, the year in which he was arrested in Germany for crimes committed there, during which he repeatedly declared his support for ISIS.
In January, he had returned to Italy after being expelled by the German authorities, who considered him a danger to public safety. Once back in Reggio Emilia, he had been placed in a support program supervised by social services and the Mental Health Center.
The investigation also revealed contacts via a messaging platform between the young man and a presumed Daesh supporter, who allegedly offered to train and finance him to organize an attack in Italy or abroad. The 22-year-old allegedly accepted, reaffirming his support for the Islamic State.
After his arrest, the judge ordered pre-trial detention in prison. The investigation is ongoing.