A security notice posted on the website of the U.S. embassy in Rome said that St Peter’s, La Scala and the Duomo in Milan had been identified as “potential targets” and said churches, synagogues, restaurants, theatres, and hotels in both cities were “possible targets”. AP also quoted RAI state radio as saying early on Thursday that “there are no direct signs of concrete threats” in connection with the information.
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“Since yesterday afternoon, our security forces have been working to find five people”, Gentiloni told the Raitre television station, reiterating that the country was already primed for the possibility of an attack on St Peter’s or other historic monuments such as La Scala theatre in Milan.
Swedish police say they have identified the suspect in a manhunt launched after the country raised its terror threat assessment to the highest level ever.
They added that advice for travel to Italy or its terrorism threat has not changed since the Paris attacks on Friday, which killed 129 people, including Briton Nick Alexander. “This represents the most serious terrorist threat faced in Europe for ten years”. “Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners”.
“There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against United Kingdom interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria”.
The message from the State Department urged US citizens to “remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings”.
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“However, I repeat: first, we must not become prisoners of this alarm because it would be a gift to Daesh (ISIS); second, the alarm in Italy exists, there is no European country that can consider itself to be outside this dynamic”, Gentiloni said. A few 700 soldiers are being deployed in Rome for security since last week’s Paris attacks.
