The Media Line: 17 Suspected Neo-Nazis Investigated in Italy Over Terror Plots, Racist Violence  

17 Suspected Neo-Nazis Investigated in Italy Over Terror Plots, Racist Violence  

By The Media Line Staff  

Italian police searched 17 people on Friday in an investigation into suspected neo-Nazi and white supremacist networks that allegedly spread racist propaganda, praised mass killings and shared instructions for carrying out violent attacks.  

Fourteen of the suspects are minors and three are adults. Officers carried out searches across several parts of Italy as authorities investigate possible offenses including incitement to commit crimes, racial discrimination and preparations for terrorist acts.  

Officers from the Carabinieri’s ROS special operations unit, other Carabinieri commands, the State Police and Italy’s General Investigations and Special Operations Division (DIGOS) took part in the operation.  

Searches of the suspects’ belongings and computers uncovered bladed weapons, Nazi paraphernalia and electronic devices allegedly used to distribute extremist material.  

The investigation centers on online groups where members allegedly exchanged white supremacist and neo-Nazi propaganda and praised people responsible for previous mass attacks. Material circulated in the groups included manifestos by white supremacist attackers, accounts of mass killings and information about the weapons involved.  

Members also shared videos of terrorists including Brenton Tarrant, with some praising their actions. Other posts promoted antisemitic, racist and misogynistic views, targeted Black and gay people, denied the Holocaust and glorified Adolf Hitler, the SS and fascist and Nazi symbols.  

Authorities said some participants also played online games depicting violence against ethnic minorities. Instructions for making improvised explosive devices and information on increasing the lethality of weapons were allegedly shared.  

Investigators identified some suspects as members of the private “Chat del Nuovo Ordine Europeo,” where Nazi and white supremacist propaganda, antisemitism and Holocaust denial were allegedly promoted.  

Others were linked to “F.F.I. (Fronte Fascista Italiano),” which allegedly circulated racist material targeting Jews, Black people and gay people, along with Holocaust denial and videos depicting executions and massacres of ethnic minorities.