Italian authorities have detained two Bangladeshi nationals in Palermo for allegedly posting provocative content related to jihad on TikTok.
While the police have not released their full identities, Italian media reports, including from Sky TG24, identified the two as Himel Ahmed (21) and Munna Tafadar.
Their arrests were reportedly confirmed by Matteo Salvini, Italy`s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, on Saturday.
In a post from his verified Facebook account, Salvini wrote: "Italy has no place for those who promote terrorism and jihad. Expel them immediately!"
The arrests were carried out under the direction of Palermo’s chief prosecutor, Maurizio De Lucia, according to reports.
Investigators said the youths had been posting religious extremist, jihadist, and anti-Western content on TikTok since March and April. Their accounts featured numerous posts related to the conflict in Gaza, allegedly promoting jihadist ideology.
Authorities further claimed the two had been researching ways to use artificial intelligence in terrorism, and that propaganda and images related to Osama bin Laden were discovered on their social media profiles.
Following their arrest, both individuals have been placed under house arrest by court order and are being monitored via electronic GPS tracking devices, the report added.
Local members of the Bangladeshi community in Palermo have chosen not to comment publicly on the incident. Meanwhile, Palermo Police have stated that the investigation is ongoing.
