The far-right extraparliamentary
CasaPound group staged a torchlit march in Rome Wednesday to
demand the closure of a Rome mosque outside which an Italian
kissing couple were attacked by a Mali man last month.
"We want the immediate closure of the illegal mosque in Via
San Vito after this umpteenth episode of intolerance," CasaPound
said, adding that the road was "the most degraded one in the
Esquilino district" which is home to many immigrants.
The Malian was released earlier Wednesday after receiving a
five-month suspended sentence for the attack.
The 24-year-old Mali national was arrested Sunday night for
allegedly attacking a couple who were walking hand-in-hand and
kissing near the Islamic centre.
The man reportedly told them "you can't kiss in front of the
mosque" before pushing the young woman and punching and kicking
the young man. The assailant also allegedly attacked police who
came to the scene. A Carabiniere was slightly hurt.
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