A 19-year-old Kenyan woman was arrested by Italian police at Orio al Serio Airport (Bergamo) as she attempted to board a flight to Turkey, allegedly en route to join jihadist forces in the Middle East.
The arrest, carried out on Saturday afternoon by the Milan Digos International Counter-Terrorism Section and the Central Directorate of Prevention Police, marks the culmination of an extensive investigation into her radicalization and suspected terrorist enlistment activities.
The young woman, a resident of Carugate, northeast of Milan, and housed in a community reception center, had reportedly undergone a rapid ideological transformation marked by increasing religious and political radicalization. Authorities traced her actions to propaganda videos and content shared on her social media, which included jihadist material and imagery of her wearing a niqab.
According to MilanoToday, the investigation began in October with online monitoring of radical jihadist networks, leading to the identification of the woman’s activities. She had been engaging with individuals believed to be based in the Middle East, facilitating her planned journey.
Police revealed that she had contacted Turkish diplomatic offices in Italy and made multiple attempts to secure a one-way flight to Istanbul.
Her plans escalated in late November when she purchased a ticket and prepared to board her flight on Nov. 30. According to police, she intended to travel to areas controlled by jihadist groups, with arrangements in place to meet an individual awaiting her arrival.
The arrest, authorized by the GIP (Preliminary Investigating Judge) of the Milan court, took place just before her departure. Upon inspecting her belongings and devices, authorities discovered evidence of her intent to join jihadist forces, including discussions about firearms and plans to serve as a “muhajirat” for the Islamic cause.
The suspect remains in police custody.
