Six terrorism suspects, some on a United Nations terrorism blacklist, went on trial today to face accusations they planned attacks in Italy which one alleged informant feared would spell "another September 11".
Among the defendants in the northern city of Cremona charged with terrorism or being part of an active terrorist cell was Noureddine Drissi.
He was identified by Italian media as a former librarian at a mosque and included on a UN blacklist of people and groups subject to international financial sanctions.
The other five defendants included a former imam in Cremona being tried in absentia. He is presumed to have died in Afghanistan.
The prosecution is reportedly basing much of its case against the men on testimony from an alleged Tunisian terrorist informant, who is said to have described planned attacks on a Milan subway station and the cathedral in Cremona.
"I was afraid of seeing another September 11," he was quoted as saying in 2002 by ANSA. ANSA said the group was also accused of planning attacks on foreign targets, including in Morocco, Tunisia and Iraq.
Four other suspects linked to the case are expected to seperately begin their fast-track proceedings later this month.