Naples, the arrested terrorist had also inspected the Jewish synagogue

An inspection of about twenty minutes near the synagogue from Via Cappella Vecchia to Napoli, followed by the publication of a video on social media.,

It is one of the central elements that led to the arrest of Firaoun Mourad, a 34-year-old of Moroccan origins, stopped by the Digos on a warrant from the Naples Prosecutor's Office. The man is accused of association with the purpose of international terrorism or subversion of the democratic order.

The investigations, the result of a collaboration between Italian authorities and international investigative bodies, have highlighted how the attack of Hamas of October 7, 2023 has intensified the propaganda and self-training activities of the so-called "sleeper cells".

Mourad, who lived in San Giuseppe Veusviano, considered a “lone wolf”, had been monitored since last summer. However, the inspection of the synagogue and the interest in a specific knife used by the fighters of theIsis pushed investigators to speed up his arrest.

Investigations into a possible terrorist network

According to investigators, Mourad intended to create a terrorist network affiliated with ISIS in the Naples area, recruiting and indoctrinating a small group of people with anti-Semitic propaganda. Computer material seized from the alleged accomplices is now being examined by the anti-terrorism pool led by prosecutor Nicola Gratteri. Mourad allegedly tried to buy a symbolic knife to carry out an attack that, in his intentions, would have had a “sacred” connotation.

During a wiretap, Mourad was heard saying, “With jihad and force, we will kill the Jews with the help of God.” Authorities, who had installed a Trojan horse on his cell phone to monitor his online and physical activities, followed his every move.

The safety of the Jewish community

Despite the seriousness of the plans, the Neapolitan Jewish community was never really in danger. Mourad was under close surveillance, with shadowing and controls on his digital activities. On his Facebook profile, headed “Lo Straniero”, a post was found with a photo of the Gulf of Naples accompanied by the phrase: “My nation, the dawn is yours” and the anthem of the Islamic State in the background.