Two Afghan men have been arrested in Southern Italy suspected of being members of an Isis-linked terror cell who allegedly were planning to attack London's Canary Wharf and hotels across the city.
Hakim Nasri, 23, has been arrested by authorities in the city of Bari on suspicion of international terrorism alongside Guilstan Ahmadzai, 29, who is being held on suspicion of aiding illegal immigration.
The two men were believed to be members of a five-person terror cell with links to Isis. The cell had allegedly been established in Puglia, in southeastern Italy, “to carry out violent attacks with the purpose of international terrorism, in Italy and abroad”, according to the arrest warrant.
Prosecutor Roberto Rossi said videos and photos were seized from the two suspects' phones showing landmarks in Rome, Paris and London.
He added: "It was clear these were not tourist images. They appear to have been scouting sensitive sites."
These potential targets in London included West India Quay, Sunborn Yacht hotel, South Quay footbridge and a Premier Inn hotel in Stratford near the Olympic Park and Westfield shopping centre. The suspects' alleged targets in Rome included the Colosseum and the Circuc Maximus.
Investigators said they also found pictures of mutilated US soldiers and prayers on their phones.
Another of the five suspects was said to have been arrested in Milan on Tuesday, while the other two are believed to be in Afghanistan, sources told Reuters. Three of the suspects are accused of international terrorism and two of aiding illegal immigration.
Authorities in Bari said in a statement: "The group carried out preliminary inspections of locations, taking photographs and videos, to prepare terrorist attacks."
