Nov 20, 2015 (LBO) – Security has been tightened in major cities in Europe with police in Italy and Sweden looking for suspected militants and increasing security around public buildings, media reports said.
Swedish police arrested a man suspected of planning an attack, while Italy’s foreign minister said St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or the cathedral or La Scala theater in Milan could be targeted.
Sweden arrested Mutar Muthanna Majid a bearded young man on suspicion of him being a member of the Islamic State. Media reports said he could be part of a large group in Sweden.
Rome’s underground train operator temporarily closed lines on three occasions due to suspicious packages being found.
In Germany, the Bild newspaper reported that there had been a plan to set off explosives in Hanover stadium at Tuesday’s friendly soccer match between Germany and the Netherlands.
European Union interior ministers are expected to agree on Friday to tighten checks at the external borders of the Schengen area, after France’s request to strengthen controls at the borders of the 26-nation area.