Italy’s deputy premier Tajani was among the crowd.
Italian police foiled a suspected attack at a religious festival in Viterbo on Wednesday evening, arresting two Turkish men armed with a machine gun, two pistols and ammunition.
Counter-terrorism police swooped on a B&B in the town, located about 70 km north of Rome, after the owner became suspicious that three Turkish guests had arrived without any luggage.
Two men were arrested on the scene, according to Italian news reports, and refused to answer any of the investigators’ questions. Cross-checks were also being carried out with Turkish authorities.
The operation occurred just before the Festa di Santa Rosa, a centuries-old festival which involves a procession through the streets of the town in the dark.
The roughly 40,000 people gathered to witness the spectacle in the historic centre of the town included Italy’s deputy premier Antonio Tajani, culture minister Alessandro Giuli and various other dignitaries, who were whisked away by police.
The Israeli ambassador had been expected at the event, Corriere della Sera reports, but was subsequently asked not to attend as a safety precaution.
The festival was held as scheduled, but with all the lights on, drawing jeers from the members of the public who were oblivious to the reasons.
Officers from the NOC counter-terrorism unit patrolled the streets accompanied by bomb-sniffing dogs, with snipers deployed on rooftops.
It has been speculated in the Italian media that the arrested men could be linked to the criminal network of Turkish crime boss Baris Boyun, who was arrested in Italy in January last year and denied extradition.
Photo Viterbo.info
