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Italy terrorist raids 'target 20' European terror raids target 20
(about 6 hours later)
Police in Italy are targeting up to 20 people in anti-terror raids ordered by a Milan court, it has been reported. Twenty suspects across Europe have been targeted in dawn raids directed against an alleged network recruiting suicide bombers for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Officers are searching for foreign nationals suspected of preparing suicide attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to Ansa news agency. Police apprehended 11 people in Italy while others were held or being sought in France, Portugal and Britain.
The agency said warrants had been issued for about 20 people but it was not clear how many had been arrested. Investigators suspect the mainly north African detainees were part of a "jihadist" network.
Some of those targeted were outside Italy and had been named in European arrest warrants. Italian police said they had seized poisons, remote explosive ignition devices and guerrilla warfare manuals.
Two men were arrested in Britain and others were being held in France, officials said. Tuesday's raids netted most of those named in 20 European arrest warrants issued by a Milan court.
Police conducted dawn raids in several cities in northern Italy including Milan, Bergamo and Reggio Emilia. Arrests were made across northern Italy - where investigators believe the alleged plot was based - including at Milan, Bergamo and Reggio Emilia.
The accused are alleged to have been setting up cells to recruit and assist suicide bombers for missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Italian media reported. In the UK, two men were detained in London and Manchester, while others were being held in France and Portugal, officials said.
Long-distance triggering devices for explosives and instruction manuals for conducting guerrilla warfare were found. Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato told a Rome news conference the "very important operation has decapitated a jihadist network that operates across Europe ... with the aim of preparing men to send to the Iraqi and Afghan theatres", AFP news agency reported.
The suspects are also accused of illegal immigration and falsifying identity documents. The suspects, mostly from Tunisia, are also accused of falsifying identity documents and immigration offences.