(AP/Washington Times) Frances d'Emilio - Anti-terrorism police in northern Italy arrested the Algerian cleric of a mosque and four Tunisians Sunday in a crackdown authorities said was aimed at preventing an al-Qaeda-linked cell from sending suicide attackers to Iraq. The suspects allegedly belonged to a cell of Ansar al-Islam. "It was clear they intended to reach Iraq and strike Western targets," said Genoa Police Chief Oscar Fiorolli. Anti-terrorism investigators have described Italy as a key logistical base for Islamic terrorists, especially for recruitment of potential suicide attackers and procurement of false documents.
2004-05-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive