Italian police dismantles terror cell

2007-06-08

[Getty Images] Ramondini

Milan police on Thursday (June 7th) said they arrested a group of Tunisians and Algerians suspected of providing logistical support to al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorists operating in Tunisia and Algeria. According to prosecutor Elio Ramondini, the terror cell was also planning attacks on the northern Italian's city subway and police stations. The suspects were reportedly arrested following a tip-off by Tlili Lazar, a Tunisian extradited from France to Italy last November, who is co-operating with the police. "The organisation created a logistical base in Italy and a channel to recruit mujahideen in the terrorist jihadist fight in Afghanistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Chechnya and Bosnia," Domenico Grimaldi, head of a police criminal investigation unit, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

AQIM is believed to be behind the April 11th attacks in Algiers that killed 33 people. It has also recently claimed responsibly for 19 attacks carried out in Algeria from April 24th until June 4th. These included a bombing in the city of Constantine that killed a policeman on May 16th, the eve of legislative elections, and attacks against military convoys in Bourmedes, Tizi Ouzou and Al Bouira. (AKI, Ansa, AFP, Reuters)