Rome - In an anti-terrorism operation carried out simulatenously by Italian and Kosovo authorities, four Kosovar nationals were arrested on charges of promoting jihadist ideology and threatening that Pope Francis would be "the last pope," police sources said Wednesday.

I nvestigators have reconstructed contacts of the alleged terrorist organisation. Using the network and social network, nationals of Kosovo propagated jihadist ideology.

The arrested men had published a series of photos on the web in which they were portrayed holding weapons. The investigation revealed that the suspects had strongly radicalised views and they were propagating extremist attitudes typical of militants from the Islamic State. The raids were conducted in Brescia, Vicenza, Savona and Perugia.

Investigators also have found a chat conversation that seemed to be a threat against the Pope. It includes phrases such as "We are announcing visits by the terrorists of the Islamic State" or "there will not be another pope after this one, this is the last."

The Kosovo police stated that the chief suspect of the terrorist group has been arrested in the village of Hani i Helezit, in eastern Kosovo. The local officials confirmed that the man was taking part in armed conflicts outside of Kosovo.

Two of the suspects arrested in Italy will be expelled and the third has been placed under special counter-terrorism supervision.

Interior Minister Angelino Alfano congratulated officers from both countries.

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