Countering Violent Extremism in a way that really works.
Cops in Venice have been told to shoot potential terrorists on sight.
Luigi Brugnaro, the Italian city’s mayor has ordered them to target anyone shouting “Allahu Akbar”, Arabic for God is Greater.
He said: “Anyone who shouts Allahu Akbar in St Mark’s Square can expect to be gunned down by snipers within four paces.
‘’We need to increase our security when it comes to terrorism. We had four would be terrorists arrested in Venice a few months ago who wanted to blow up the Rialto bridge.
‘’They said they wanted to go and meet Allah so we will send them straight to Allah without having to throw them off the bridge, we will just shoot them.’’
Last night he added:’’I have never been politically correct, in fact I am politically correct and that’s why we also need a naval blockade against people coming into Italy from north Africa.’’
Fact check: Accurate.
Luigi Brugnaro seems to have developed quite a knack for interfaith relations. And is channeling a little bit of Patton. If the goal is martyrdom, why not help the terrorists die for their Jihad.
The media however is not amused. Here's some forceful sniffing from the Australian.
The right-wing mayor of Venice has courted controversy by claiming that anyone who yells “Allahu akbar” in St Mark’s Square will be shot.
“We keep our guard up,” he said. “If anyone runs into St Mark’s Square shouting ‘Allahu akbar’, we will take him down.
“A year ago I said after four steps, now after three. I will say it in Venetian: ‘Ghe sparemo’ [We will shoot him].”
Venice has always been notoriously hard to invade. Usually that's put down to its unique street map. But maybe it's also the attitude.