Air-To-Air Missile Seized By Italian Police In Neo-Nazi Raid

Three people have been arrested in connection to the raids (Picture: Polizia di Stato).

Several sophisticated weapons - including a missile - were seized in a raid against far-right extremists in the north of Italy.

The Italian General Investigations and Special Operations Division (DIGOS) found the missile and a number of latest-generation automatic assault weapons during the operation near Turin.

Neo-Nazi propaganda, swastikas and material referring to the Waffen-SS, was also found and seized by the anti-terrorism unit of DIGOS.

Three people have been arrested in connection to the raids and they have been identified as Fabio Del Bergiolo, Alessandro Monti and Fabio Bernardi.

Mr Del Bergiolo, 50, is a former customs officer and an activist for Forza Nuova, an Italian far-right party.

Italian Police said the missile appeared to be a French-made Matra Super 530 F.

WhatsApp conversations between one of the people who have been arrested and a military weapons expert showed pictures of the air-to-air missile which was seized in the DIGOS operation.

The military weapons expert showed interest in buying the missile for a third party not included in the online conversation, Italian Police reported.

The operation followed a complex investigation coordinated by the police forces which was launched in July 2018 and was aimed at monitoring Italian subjects believed to be involved in far-right movements and be providing support to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.