Italian police on Tuesday
arrested a Pakistani man in Mantua who is accused of links to
terrorism and encouraging acts of violence and martyrdom through
his use of Facebook.
Muhammad Bilal, 25, was held by anti-terrorism police in
the northern Italian city following a request by investigators
in Caltanissetta, Sicily. Police also searched properties in
Mantua, Enna, Prato, Milan and Como.
According to investigators, he was part of an
anti-Christian and anti-Shiite Muslim organisation, and had
shared several images on Facebook encouraging jihad and violence
which had received many "likes" from followers.
His posts included messages of approval after Islamist
gunmen killed several French journalists from the satirical
Charlie Hebdo magazine earlier this year.
In another post on the social network he said "try to be
interested in martyrdom. Jihad will continue until the end".
Bilal arrived in Sicily on a boat from Libya in January
2014. Investigators began monitoring him while he was staying at
the 'Città del Sole' reception centre in Piazza Armerina.
He had emerged as a leader in the Pakistani community at
the centre and an instigator of several moments of unrest. He
had been noted as displaying particular intolerance to police
when they intervened.
Italian police are also investigating two other non-EU
immigrants within the anti-terrorism operation that led to the
arrest of Bilal, sources familiar with the matter reported.
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