Italian authorities have arrested a 16-year-old Italian citizen in the province of Grosseto on suspicion of distributing jihadist propaganda and materials supporting the terrorist organization ISIS.
Të lidhura
None found
The minor, who is of foreign origin and lives in the province of Como, was on holiday with his family when he was detained by the authorities. According to media reports, he is under investigation for “participation in an international terrorist organization” and for “propaganda and incitement to crimes motivated by racial, ethnic and religious discrimination.”
The case was launched following a report by the Italian Intelligence and Security Agency (AISI), which had identified an online user publishing propaganda materials in support of ISIS through internet communication platforms.
After further checks and verification, investigators were able to link the activity of the suspicious profiles to the 16-year-old. Until then, he had no criminal record and had shown no signs of suspicious or radical behavior.
The investigation showed that the teenager frequently used VPNs and other tools designed to conceal traces of his online activity. Through them, he had also accessed websites known for spreading ISIS propaganda.
During a search authorized by the judicial authorities and carried out by Milan’s Special Operations Unit (DIGOS), a considerable amount of digital material linked to the terrorist organization was seized.
The data found on his devices included ISIS propaganda documents, videos and images. The materials included footage of executions, training sessions and propaganda songs, as well as extremist content featuring supremacist and neo-Nazi ideology.
Authorities also discovered communications in which the minor expressed support for ISIS and stated that he had previously helped create propaganda materials for the organization.
One of the most alarming findings was a Russian-language video featuring Islamic State symbols and documenting the construction of an improvised explosive device.
The Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office concluded that the evidence gathered indicated an advanced stage of radicalization and contacts with individuals linked to ISIS. For this reason, it asked the court to impose precautionary measures on the 16-year-old.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to clarify the full extent of his online activities and determine whether he had any other links to extremist networks.
