Turkish Man Arrested in Connection with Foiled Plot Against Pope Francis

Rome: A Turkish national linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) has been arrested in connection with a foiled plan to assassinate Pope Francis during his scheduled visit to Trieste in July 2024, Italian authorities announced. The suspect, 46-year-old Hasan Uzun, is believed to have been involved in the plot, which was uncovered by Italian police on Friday.

According to Ansa News Agency, Uzun’s arrest is part of a broader investigation into a Turkish organization associated with ISIS Khorasan, which had allegedly orchestrated the assassination attempt. The suspect is currently in solitary confinement in the northeastern port city of Trieste, close to the Slovenian border.

Following his extradition from the Netherlands, Uzun was detained in Milan for several days before being transferred to Trieste. The planned attack on the Pope underscores ongoing security threats posed by extremist groups and highlights the vigilance of Italian law enforcement in preventing acts of terrorism.