Italian cops seize air-to-air missile and stash of weapons in raids on neo-Nazi groups

AN AIR-to-air missile and a stash of weapons have been seized by anti-terror police in northern Italy during a raid on far right extremist groups.

Three men were arrested and neo-Nazi propaganda seized.

Italian police found an air-to-air missile in raids on far-right extremist groupsCredit: Alamy Live News

A stash of weapons was also found during the investigation in northern ItalyCredit: AFP

The raids were part of an investigation into Italian far-right help for Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, local media said.

Italian police revealed the missile was one of those used by the Qatari army.

Turin special police force led the operation, along with police from Milan, Varese, Forli and Novara.

In a statement, Turin police said one of the arrested men had run unsuccessfully as a Senate candidate for the neo-fascist Forza Nuova party in 2001.

At his home in Gallarate, police found nine assault weapons, nearly 30 hunting rifles, pistols and bayonets as well as ammunition and antique Nazi plaques featuring swastikas.

Italian media named those arrested as Fabio Del Bergiolo, 50, an Italian ex-customs officer and far-right Forza Nuova party activist; Alessandro Monti, 42, a Swiss national; and Fabio Bernardi, 51, also Italian.

Italian police revealed the missile was one of those used by the Qatari armyCredit: AP:Associated Press

Police arrested three men and seized neo-Nazi propagandaCredit: AFP

Turin special police force led the operation along with police from Milan, Varese, Forli and NovaraCredit: EPA

The missile was in working condition but lacked an explosive chargeCredit: AFP

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