Italian judge turns down decision to expel Moroccan suspected of terrorism

An Italian judge turned down on Friday the expulsion decision against a Moroccan national, Mohamed Daki, whose presence in the Italian territory was considered by the interior minister as "a serious threat to public order and a danger for the state security."

The prosecution in the city of Milan argued that persons standing trial for "international terrorism" should remain in Italy. Daki who was released in a first instance trial is awaiting the ruling of the appeal lodged by the prosecution.

He was arrested in 2003, together with two Tunisians. Daki, 40, is accused for being member of "Ansar Al Islam," an organization close to Al-Qaïda. "Ansar Al Islam" is reportedly having active branches in several Italian northern cities and maintaining close links with Islamic radical groups in Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

It is also suspected of seeking to collect funds and recruit volunteers to go to Iraq to carry out terrorist operations.

Mohamed Daki was cleared last January 24 of terrorism charges but was sentenced to a 22-month prison term for "forging administrative documents and abetting illegal immigration." He was released last Thursday after serving his sentence and taken to a center where aliens waiting to be expelled are held.