Malaysian held for assaulting couple outside Rome mosque

Rome Sep 26 (IANS/AKI) A Malaysian was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a couple embracing outside an Islamic cultural centre in Rome shoving the woman and punching and kicking the man police said on Monday.

"You can t kiss here in front of the mosque " the 24-year-old Malaysian is alleged to have shouted at the couple before attacking them as they strolled hand in hand in Rome s Esquilino district near the central station late on Sunday.

When a police patrol car intervened the Malaysian allegedly went for the two police officers leaving one of them with bruising.

The Malaysian faces charges of assault and of resisting a public official.

Police are investigating "the extent of radicalisation" of the Malaysian who is resident in Rome according to the romatoday.it website.

--IANS/AKI
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