Italy's State police on Wednesday
arrested 12 people in a nationwide operation targetting a
white-supremist, neo-Nazi group called 'Werwolf Division'
which was allegedly planning attacks on high institutional
figures including Premier Giorgia Meloni.
The police also searched the homes of 13 people, in accordance
with a warrant issued by a Bologna judge after a request by
prosecutors in the city.
The suspects were allegedly part an "organised cell" that was
operational and capable of carrying out 'lone-wolf' attacks like
those of supremacists and jihadists.
They are under investigation for felonies including criminal
association for terrorism, propaganda and incitement to commit
racial, ethnic and religious discrimination and the illegal
possession of firearms.
Among the charges against the neo-Nazi cell dismantled by an
investigation by the Digos security police and the Bologna
Public Prosecutor's Office, there is also the "preparation of
serious attacks", including against Meloni and an economist from
the World Economic Forum", according to the warrants issued.
They are also accused of propaganda, proselytism and preparation
of violent actions, such as a purge of the movement's alleged
traitors.
According to the preliminary investigations judge (GIP), "the
group, following supremacist and neo-Nazi ideals, in their most
extreme expression of 'accelerationism' and also based on the
denial and apologia of the Shoah, aimed at the subversion of the
current system (of government) for the establishment of an
ethical and authoritarian State centered on the 'Aryan race'
also with the plan of violent actions against high officials of
the Institutions".
The GIP added: "In the case there are 25 suspects, aged between
19 and 76, some of whom have already been searched by the Digos
(special security branch) of Bologna and Naples in May 2023,
accused of having in various capacities promoted, organised and
taken part in the 'Werwolf Division' association."
Police searched premises from Lombardy in the north of Italy
through Rome to Sicily in the south.
Judicial sources said they searched properties in Bologna, Bari,
Brindisi, Lecco, Milan, Monza Brianza, Modena, Palermo, Pesaro
Urbino, Pescara, Pordenone, Ravenna, Rome, Teramo, Trieste,
Vercelli and Vicenza.
Bologna Mayor Bologna Matteo Lepore said "I will not go into the
merits of the investigations, which I do not know.
"Of course we can say that in 2024 neo-Nazis exist in Italy and
therefore, when someone takes the trouble to report that these
issues are current and absolutely important, I think it should
absolutely be taken seriously because there are journalists in
our country who are under escort precisely as a result of
threats from these groups.
"And therefore it is something of great current interest
throughout Europe and Italy is no exception.
"Therefore it is absolutely essential to keep our guard up on
these issues because neo-Nazism and neo-fascism are in reality
existing in Europe and not consigned to the past".
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