>>>ANSA/Police raid neo-Nazi group poised to attack Meloni

(ANSA) - BOLOGNA, DEC 4 - 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". (ANSA).