ROME – Security measures in the Italian capital have been tightened in the lead up to Easter following a false bomb threat at La Rinascente department store. The incident arrives alongside the embassy’s receipt of an anonymous letter, alerting the impending danger posed by Tunisian citizen, Atef Mathlouthi.

 The phone call, which arrived at around 13.00 yesterday reported the deployment of an explosive device in a vehicle parked outside La Rinascente’s headquarters on Via del Tritone. The alarm prompted immediate inspections as bomb disposal units were called into the company’s department stores at Via del Tritone and Piazza Fiume.

 Although La Rinascente’s bomb scare call appeared to be unfounded, counter-terrorism security measures are set to rise, from their current level 2 alert, in anticipation of large crowds over the Easter period. The Eternal City is recognised as a sensitive target to terrorist attacks, especially high-density tourist points, such as the Colosseum, which welcome thousands of visitors each day.

 Meanwhile, efforts are being made to track down the individual behind the phone call which comes at a similar time to the delivery an anonymous letter to the Embassy of Tunisia in Italy.

 This message, which has been regarded as reliable by the police, warned of the potential threat Atef Mathlouthi presented to Rome, noting his desire to carry out a series of attacks throughout the Italian capital, targeting cafés, popular tourist spots, shopping centres and the metro network.

 Carabinieri forces have launched a search in pursuit of the 41-year-old whilst photographs have been circulated around investigative offices throughout the country in order to promptly identify and locate the Tunisian.

 Whilst these measures may prove to be precautionary, law enforcement agencies are working to determine the genuineness of Mr Mathlouthi’s alleged radicalisation, which may accompany his past offences of drug dealing in Palermo.

 Mr Mathlouthi’s lawyer has since distanced his client from any association with suspicious activity. He stated that Mr Mathlouthi has “never shirked from police checks, has no connection with Rome or interests of any kind’, adding their sense of injustice at being imposed under a “defamatory accusation.”

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