Suspected Moroccan extremist expelled from Italy

Rome Feb 22 (IANS/AKI) Italy has deported a 27-year-old Moroccan who allegedly claimed he would wage holy war or Jihad if he was not allowed to pray in prison the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

The Moroccan was expelled aboard a flight to Casablanca from Malpensa airport in northern Italy the ministry said.

The deportation came immediately after the Moroccan was released from jail after serving a sentence for minor offences. While in prison in the northern city of Reggio Emilia the suspect told warders he would wage Jihad if he was stopped from praying the ministry stated.

The Moroccan was the 21st suspected religious extremist to be deported from Italy this year. A total of 258 such suspects have been expelled from the country since January 1 2015 said the ministry.

--IANS/AKI
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