Anti-terrorism measures in Italy after the arrest of four Syrians holding Romanian identity cards

Authorities in the Italian region of Puglia will intensify checks to prevent the infiltration of Islamic State group terrorists among immigrants, after the arrest of four Syrians who arrived in Italy having Romanian identity cards, the online edition of Corriere Salentino reports.

According to authorities in Puglia (southern Italy), four Syrian immigrants were arrested on Sunday after they were found holding Romanian identity cards. Another Syrian had a Czech identity document, Mediafax informs.

Given that authorities fear that militants of the Islamic State could enter Italy by infiltrating among immigrants coming by sea, the Prefecture of Lecce has held on Wednesday a meeting of police chiefs presided by Giuliana Perrotta, provincial prefect.

Italian secret services have warned the risk that Islamic State terrorists coming from Libya to try to reach Italy by sea, by infiltrating among the thousands of immigrants coming every week.

Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano has called for caution and vigilance. “No correlation between terrorism and immigration has been proven yet,, but nothing can be ruled out,” said Alfano.