CROTONE - A young asylum seeker, 29, has been arrested on charges of allegedly acting with the aims of international terrorism and incitement to criminal behaviour. According to the investigations, run by the Public Prosecutor of the comune of Catanzaro, Calabria, South Italy, his activities were at one with ISIS. 

 The young man’s alleged terrorist intentions were discovered thanks to telephone tapping; he had been monitored for some time. In a conversation with his sister, he said that although someone had asked him to return to his country to take part in the holy war of Islam, the principles of jihad had instead inspired him to stay in Italy to “redeem the infidels”. Digos (Divisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali), Italy’s law enforcement agency charged with investigating sensitive cases involving terrorism, amongst other things, then heard him say that “these people should have their throats cut”. 

 The 29 year old, according to Digos investigations, had reportedly shared ISIS propaganda and tried to recruit people from Sprar (Sistema di Protezione per Richiedenti Asilo e Rifugiati), Italy’s refugee association, to join the Islamic state and commit violent acts. He was not immediately identified.

 The young man rejoiced during the Manchester massacre and was tasked with providing news, clarifications and material from the Islamic State to other asylum seekers included in the Sprar project, police said.

 A press conference will take place Tuesday where lead prosecutor Nicola Gratteri will present the details of the investigation that led to the arrest of the young Iraqi.

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