ROME, July 13: One hundred and seventy five Muslims were rounded up as police swept into Muslim communities across Italy on Wednesday, raiding dozens of homes and seizing material in several cities a day after the government announced a series of measures aimed at cracking down on extremism.

Police and Carabinieri officers backed by Italy’s special anti-terrorism unit, the DIGOS, searched homes and buildings in Turin, Florence, Bologna, Rome, Naples and other cities from early morning. Hundreds of people underwent identity checks, and documents and computer equipment were seized for analysis.

Searches also took place in North African communities in Siracusa and Ragusa on Sicily’s east coast.

The authorities had not announced any arrests several hours into the operation, which was still ongoing at midday.

However, the operation was clearly aimed at verifying the movements of suspected Muslim radicals and sweeping Muslim communities for information and material which may prove useful as Italy upgrades its effort to prevent a London-style terrorist attack.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Italy was in “the firing line” of terrorism from extremist Muslims in Europe because of its support for the US-led coalition in Iraq.

The measures announced on Tuesday in parliament by Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu include closer monitoring of suspects, doubling from 12 to 24 hours the length of time a suspect can be held without being charged, questioning of terrorism suspects without the presence of lawyers and easier access to mobile phone and Internet records.

Surveillance is also expected to be stepped up around mosques. A mosque in Milan was described by the US State Department as a “breeding ground” for Muslim radicalism in the wake of the Sept11 attacks on the United States.

Police are expected to provide details of the ongoing search operation later Wednesday.

It follows a similar but smaller operation in the immediate aftermath of the London attacks in which 142 people, mostly illegal immigrants, were arrested, and dozens later deported.

Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said he shared the interior minister’s concern over the threat of terrorism.

“I have said before, after the attacks in New York and Madrid, that nobody should underestimate the threat faced by all European countries,” Veltroni said.—-AFP