Italian police have seized a large arsenal of weapons, including an air-to-air missile and rocket launchers, in raids on neo-Nazi sympathisers in an arms haul that authorities said was almost without precedent.
At least three people, including Fabio Del Bergiolo – 50, a former candidate for the neo-fascist New Force, or Forza Nuova party (FN) – have been arrested.
Elite police forces searched properties across northern Italy following an investigation into Italians who had fought alongside Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, a police statement said on July 15.
Among other weapons uncovered were 26 guns, 20 bayonets, 306 gun parts, including silencers and rifle scopes, and more than 800 bullets of various calibres. The arms were primarily from Austria, Germany and the United States.
“This is a significant seizure, with few precedents in Italy,” said Turin police commissioner Giuseppe De Matteis.
“During the operation, an air-to-air missile in perfect working order and used by the Qatari army was seized,” police said of the 245km Matra missile.
Source: Aljazeera
