Venice terror cell busted (4)

(ANSA) - Rome, March 30 - Italian police on Thursday said they had busted an Islamist terror in the centre of Venice overnight. Venice anti-mafia and anti-terror units worked in "close liaison" with Italian police and Carabinieri in the operation, and moved in after "blanket" surveillance of the alleged cell, they said. Three people were arrested and a minor detained in the operation, all originally from Kosovo and resident in Italy. Twelve raids were carried out: 10 in Venice's historic centre, one in nearby Mestre and one in Treviso to the north, police said. The operation succeeded in "reconstructing the relationship dynamics and the religious radicalisation of the various individuals as well as the places they frequented," police said.
    Central terror prevention staff, Carabinieri sniffer-dog units, bomb squads and forensics police also took part in the operation. Also taking part were special units of Italy's security police belonging to the Polizia di Stato and the Carbinieri, the NOCS and GIS units respectively. The jihadi cell was busted in the small hours of the night when raids were carried out in the homes of those under investigation, police said. Police are now examining material seized during the raids.
    Italy has upped security against jihadi cells following the Westminster attack in which a lone wolf killed four people.