Five terror suspects arrested

Five Moroccan men were being questioned yesterday after they were arrested by Italian police in a raid that turned up explosives and maps.

The men were arrested on Wednesday near Rovigo, 30 miles south-west of Venice. An Italian news agency said they were found with addresses and plans of Nato bases in Italy.

Police said 2.2lb of explosives were found, as well as maps, but refused to confirm any further details. The lawyer acting for the Moroccans, Sofia Tiengo, said the men had been charged with possessing explosives. She said the explosives were found in an abandoned building where some of the suspects had been squatting.

Police named one of the men as a religious leader of Rovigo's Muslim community, Reduane Bnoughazi, 32. The others are said to be aged between 28 and 41. A police official said the explosives were found during a routine search for illegal immigrants. The men were employed and were trying to obtain residency permits.

The US Attorney General John Ashcroft, who met the Italian Justice Minister Roberto Castelli yesterday, described the arrests as part of the fight against terrorism. (AP)