ROME: Italian authorities have arrested a 46 year old French national after discovering three Akeron anti tank missiles in his van at the port of Bari.
The man, identified as Régis Claude Albert Normand, was stopped after arriving by ferry from Patras, Greece. Police found five containers designed to transport anti tank weapons, including three containers carrying Akeron missiles and another containing an inert training missile.
Investigators said the missiles appeared to have blue markings associated with training equipment, but Italian military experts reportedly found that the blue bands were removable tape. The weapons were subsequently classified as military weapons.
Normand reportedly told investigators that he was transporting the missiles for MBDA France, the manufacturer, and that they had been sent to Greece for repair before being returned. His defence team says the shipment was authorised by French authorities and destined for a NATO related facility in Greece.
However, Italian prosecutors have raised questions about the documentation and the absence of permits required under Italian law for transporting military equipment. The investigation is continuing, and the Frenchman remains in pre-trial detention.
Key takeaway: Italian authorities are investigating whether the shipment was a legitimate military transport or an illegal arms movement. The case has also raised questions about cross border weapons transportation within Europe.
