Salerno – A swift investigation coordinated by the Salerno Public Prosecutor's Office and conducted by specialists from the DIGOS (Special Operations Division) and the Central Directorate of Prevention Police has foiled a potential threat linked to Islamic radicalism. A twenty-one-year-old Italian university student with a criminal record for fraud and illegal possession of weapons was arrested red-handed on very serious charges: possession of terrorist material and possession of illegal weapons.

The young man had already been under investigation by investigators following a tip-off from the AISE (External Information and Security Agency), which had tracked his intense online activity aimed at obtaining military training manuals, explosive device guides, and propaganda material linked to the Islamic State.

From AISE reports to the raid at home

The investigative input stemmed from the young Internet user's online monitoring. The investigators' in-depth investigations revealed an alarming picture, prompting the Salerno Prosecutor's Office—led by Prosecutor Raffaele Cantone and Deputy Prosecutor Rocco Alfano—to issue a warrant for a personal, physical, and computer search.

The raid, carried out by specialists from the State Police, confirmed the suspicions: in addition to computer devices filled with digital guides for the manufacture of homemade explosive mixtures, the agents found themselves faced with a veritable arsenal and unequivocal certificates of adherence to the jihadist ideology.

The seizure: bladed weapons, modified pistols and ammunition

During the house search, the amount of seized material became particularly heavy. The officers found:

Two knives and a machete about 50 centimeters long.
Two pistols (a Colt and a Revolver) originally fired blanks but were modified and had their functional cycle activated.

107 blank rounds.

Faced with the evidence gathered and the evidence demonstrating his intent to plan violent acts, the twenty-one-year-old was arrested red-handed. After the usual formalities, he was transferred to Fuorni Prison in Salerno, where he will be held by the judicial authorities pending a preliminary hearing.