Pakistani father-son duo held in Italy over Mumbai attacks

Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Nov 21 (PTI) A Pakistani father-son duo in Italy,
who managed a money transfer agency that was used to finance
the Mumbai terror attacks, were arrested Saturday in the
northern Italian city of Brescia.
The two men were arrested in an early morning raid,
police in Brescia said.
In a statement, police said the suspects managed a money
transfer agency and helped fund the November 26 attacks.
The day before the attacks last year they transferred
money to activate an Internet phone account that was used by
the attackers and their accomplices, Stefano Fonzi, the head
of anti-terror police in Brescia, was quoted as saying by AP.
Italian police began the probe in December last year
after being alerted by FBI that the money had been sent from
Italy, Fonzi was quoted as saying, adding that the funds were
transferred under the identity of another Pakistani who never
visited Italy and was not involved in the alleged crimes.
The two men have been accused of aiding and abetting
international terrorism as well as illegal financial activity.
The Indian government has been informed of the arrests by
the Italian authorities, sources in New Delhi said.
They said Indian agencies are also trying to find out
whether the arrested persons had any links with David Coleman
Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, nabbed by the FBI in the US
last month on charges of plotting a major terror attack in
India at LeT's behest. PTI