Italy arrests 40 in security swoop after UK plot

ROME - Italian police have arrested 40 people in a security swoop targeting Islamic groups following a foiled plot in Britain to blow up transatlantic airliners, the Interior Ministry said today.

The ministry said in a statement the arrests were carried out throughout Italy "during a special operation that follows the British anti-terrorism operation yesterday".

A ministry source said those arrested were linked to Islamic groups, adding that none had been detained on terrorism-related charges. Twenty-eight people were detained for violating rules on residency permits and 12 for property crimes.

The arrests were made in Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples and other cities on yesterday and today.

The police raids targeted "Islamic gathering places such as call centres, internet points and money transfer" offices, the ministry's statement said.

Authorities also expelled 114 immigrants as part of the same operation.

Italy has stepped up security after news of the plot that British police said on Thursday they had foiled, although no special measures have been taken and authorities have said there is no specific sign of a terror alert for Italy.

Italy's centre-left government, which has just freed thousands of detainees under a mass pardon and relaxed rules for immigrants to gain Italian citizenship, is under pressure from the opposition to show it is not lowering its guard on security.

Today, police searched the houses of 15 foreigners, most of them Pakistanis, as part of a joint operation with Belgian police probing suspected funding of an alleged terrorist organisation, the Interior Ministry said.

Last year, Italian police arrested more than 140 people in security raids and expelled hundreds of immigrants following bombings in London and Egypt.

- REUTERS