Italy: Police fear Ramadan prison radicalization

Italy: Police fear Ramadan prison radicalization


- The holy fasting month of Ramadan may provide fertile ground for
recruiting militants in Italy's already overcrowded prisons, according to a
senior police official. Secretary-general of the Italian penitentiary police
union (SAPPE), Donato Capace, said authorities were concerned that foreign
prisoners may become radicalised due to the difficult conditions.


"Of the 27,000 foreign detainees, one third of them are Muslim," said Capace

told Adnkronos.


"The increase in tension in the situation of Afghanistan and Iraq could

(also) have repercussions.


"Due to the overcrowding in the cells and the high number of foreign

detainees, with so many of them of the Islamic faith, the prison cell could
become a place where petty criminals are tempted by jailed members of terror
organisations," said Capace.


Although many of the detainees face restrictions such as not being able to

pray beside their friends and family and have no access to traditional food
during Ramadan, prison authorities are sensitive to the religious
requirements of the inmates.


(more)


Source: AKI (English)

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