11/12/24
Giorgia Meloni 'targeted in assassination plot by neo-Nazi group' who branded Italian PM a 'fascist who persecutes fascists'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been targeted in an assassination plot by a neo-Nazi group who branded her a "fascist who persecutes fascists".
Twelve people - part of the far-right supremacist group known as Werwolf Division - were detained in country-wide raids by anti-terrorism police last week.
Police recorded the suspects describing Meloni as a "fascist who persecutes fascists" and uncovered evidence that assassination plans had been in development since 2023.
The preparation for "serious attacks" had reached advanced stages, according to arrest warrants.
Members of the group had identified potential attack sites near the parliament building in central Rome and the PM's office at Palazzo Chigi.
"There's a hotel in front of Parliament from where you can shoot from above," one member allegedly said.
Another suspect was recorded stating: "Find me a sniper and we will implement your plan."
One suspect within the "organised cell" claimed to have "trained" five people as "potential warriors" to carry out the assassination.
The suspects face charges including terrorism, propaganda and incitement to racial, ethnic and religious discrimination, as well as illegal possession of firearms.
The investigation was led by DIGOS anti-terror police in Bologna and Naples, involving raids on 25 suspects aged between 19 and 76.
The group conducted propaganda and recruitment through the Telegram messaging app.
Police discovered a "New Dawn Movement" account, created to disguise violent projects and coordinate warrior training through both online and in-person meetings.
Authorities were particularly concerned by a 2022 flyer showing "a gunman wearing a skull mask with the Nazi symbol of the black sun next to it and promoting revolt."
The suspects were accused of promoting, organising and participating in the Werwolf Division, which was later renamed the New Dawn Division.
The name Werwolf originates from a Nazi resistance force created during the final stages of World War II to conduct sabotage and guerrilla warfare against Allied troops behind enemy lines.
Italy's national anti-terrorism prosecutor, Giovanni Melillo, highlighted the severity of the threat: "This is an important investigation, which is a development of another one currently under consideration by the Court of Naples.
"Both demonstrate the extreme danger of neo-Nazi networks branching out in Europe, which have long been underestimated."
The latest investigation emerged from conversations between the organisation's senior leaders and members of another supremacist group called the Order of Hagal.
Five of the accused, considered to be leaders of Werwolf, appeared before a judge in Bologna.
Only one suspect, Alessandro Giuliano, chose to respond to questions during the court proceedings.
Through his defence lawyer, Gabriele Bordoni, Giuliano claimed he had distanced himself from the group after realising their activities had become dangerous.
Bordoni stated that his client "defected and disconnected from Telegram" once he understood the severity of the situation.
Some of the suspects had previously been identified and searched by police in Bologna and Naples in May 2023.
The motives behind the alleged assassination plots remain unclear.
Related Links
Back to index