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Counter-terror police arrested Abderrahim Moutaharrik alongside three others during a key raid to stop the first devastating ISIS terror attack on Italian soil. Officers said the terror sleeper cell had allegedly been given orders by ISIS commandos in Syria to wipe out one of the centres of Christianity.

POLICE He is listed online as Switzerland's welterweight national champion for two years running

Moutaharrik, 28, was taken into custody alongside his burka-clad wife Salma Bencharki Police have released pictures of the Italian national boxer and father-of-two wearing a black shirt adorned with the ISIS flag in the kickboxing ring. He is listed online as Switzerland's welterweight national champion for two years running. Security sources said the terror cell planned the terror attack on the Italian capital using WhatsApp, which has recently created an encrypted service.

POLICE; GETTY The Italian national boxer and father-of-two wearing a black shirt adorned with the ISIS flag

However, investigators said they intercepted communication between the kickboxer, who has won competitions across Europe, and ISIS terror leaders in Syria. Milan prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli said the attacks paid "particular attention to the city of Rome during the Holy Year". He added the terrorists planned to attack the Holy See of Catholicism and the Pope himself. Pope Francis announced a Holy Year, which only happens four times a century, from last December until this November, with special celebrations and pilgrimages planned.

Detectives believe Moutaharrik also wanted to attack the Israeli embassy after he told an ISIS fighter he planned "to hit Israel in Rome". He continued: "I swear I will be the first to attack them in this Italy of crusaders, I swear I'll attack it, in the Vatican God willing." In a separate conversation, the same suspect mentioned contacting an Albanian man to buy up a range of guns. The attack was not thought to be imminent but authorities acted quickly to stop them from travelling to ISIS territory.

POLICE The terrorists planned to attack the Holy See of Catholicism and the Pope himself

Moutaharrik had allegedly planned to smuggle his children, aged just two and four, from Milan to radical strongholds in Syria before returning to carry out the attack. Italian interior minister Angelino Alfano explained: "They had very bad intentions." Prosecutor Romanelli said: "The new aspect is that we are not talking about a generic indication of an attack but a specific person being appointed to act on Italian soil. "Rome attracts attention because it is a destination for Christian pilgrims." Another Moroccan man who was allegedly planning to travel with them, was identified as Abderrahmane Khachia, 23.

POLICE Moutaharri was taken into custody alongside his burka-clad wife Salma Bencharki