Rome, Sep 26 (IANS/AKI) A Malaysian was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a couple embracing outside an Islamic cultural centre in Rome, shoving the woman and punching and kicking the man, police said on Monday. Also Read - Rome Could Face Second Lockdown After COVID-19 Cases Spike

“You can’t kiss here in front of the mosque,” the 24-year-old Malaysian is alleged to have shouted at the couple before attacking them as they strolled hand in hand in Rome’s Esquilino district near the central station late on Sunday. Also Read - Trending News Today, March 15, 2020: Coronavirus Effect: Italian Man Practices 'Social Distancing' By Wearing Giant Cardboard Disc Around His Waist | Watch

When a police patrol car intervened, the Malaysian allegedly went for the two police officers, leaving one of them with bruising. Also Read - Sonam Kapoor Ahuja Takes Internet by Storm With Sultry Pictures in Molten Gold-Sparkling Silver Lehenga

The Malaysian faces charges of assault and of resisting a public official.

Police are investigating “the extent of radicalisation” of the Malaysian, who is resident in Rome, according to the romatoday.it website.

This is published unedited from the IANS feed.