Italian authorities have thwarted a chilling plot to assassinate Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, arresting 12 members of a neo-Nazi group known as the ‘Werewolf Division’.
Neo-Nazi Plot Uncovered
In a startling development, Italian law enforcement has apprehended 12 members of a clandestine neo-Nazi group known as the ‘Werewolf Division.’ The group is accused of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, highlighting the growing threat of far-right extremism in the country. The arrests came after an extensive investigation that revealed the group’s intentions to establish an authoritarian regime centered on Aryan supremacy.
Italy:
The Bari court has filed the reasons for the 5-year sentence against an Italian right-wing extremist for terrorism-related crimes.
The man, 25, was considered the only Italian associate of US-based neo-Nazi network The Base
He has shown no repentance for his radicalization https://t.co/MnW6bEt0Td pic.twitter.com/nrxdkOtIBu— Francesco Marone (@f_marone) February 9, 2024
The operation included raids on 25 homes across Italy, where authorities discovered a cache of Nazi insignia, fascist flags, and weapons. This evidence underscores the group’s commitment to their extremist ideology and their readiness to resort to violence to achieve their goals.
#NDTVWorld | Italy PM Giorgia Meloni Sues Historian Who Called Her "Neo-Nazi At Heart" https://t.co/IiMSo9AitR pic.twitter.com/LJEgPRaDvF
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 16, 2024
Digital Extremism and Operational Plans
The ‘Werewolf Division’ primarily used Telegram as their communication platform, demonstrating the increasing role of digital technologies in facilitating extremist activities. The group discussed detailed plans for their intended attack on the Prime Minister through these encrypted channels.
“There is a hotel in front of Parliament – is one of the intercepted conversations – from there you can shoot from above,” – one of them reportedly said in the chilling correspondence
This intercepted conversation reveals the group’s intentions to shoot Meloni as she left parliament, with discussions extending to training and reconnaissance missions around Rome. The suspects referred to Meloni as a ‘concubine of Zion’ and a ‘traitor’, criticizing her for denying her fascist past.
Advanced Stage of Preparation
Anti-terror police have stated that the group was in an advanced operational preparedness stage, indicating the threat’s seriousness. Another Telegram group, Movimento Nuova Alba, was also identified as being used to discuss violent projects and train members, further illustrating the extent of the neo-Nazi network.
“I’ll shoot her in the head” – another said
The investigation that led to these arrests was not isolated. Authorities traced the network through evidence from a previous investigation into a related group called ‘The Order of Hagal’, which had similar plans to overthrow the government. This connection suggests a broader, more organized, far-right extremist movement in Italy.
Implications for National Security
The uncovering of this plot serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist groups to democratic institutions. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and robust counter-terrorism efforts to safeguard national security and protect elected officials.
As digital platforms continue to serve as breeding grounds for extremist ideologies, law enforcement agencies face the ongoing challenge of monitoring and intercepting potential threats in the online sphere. The successful prevention of this assassination plot demonstrates the effectiveness of Italy’s anti-terror units but also highlights the evolving nature of extremist activities in the digital age.
