Woman fabricates terror claims on Tunisian fiancé, causes Rome emergency alert

A Tunisian man whom Italy categorized as a terror suspect turned out to be innocent after it was revealed that his ex-fiancé fabricated charges against him out of spite.

Atef Mathlouthi, 42, found himself on the top of Rome’s most wanted list after authorities received an urgent notice to find him because he was categorized as a dangerous terrorist.

According to Italian sources, the notice was issued by the Italian embassy in Tunisia which received an anonymous tip saying that Mathlouthi would likely carry out a terror attack in Rome.

The notice added that the suspect wanted to target a metro station or shopping centers or touristic sites.

Authorities released a photo of Mathlouthi to the public and media outlets in Italy began circulating it and said he was a posed a credible threat to the country. Some media reports added that Mathlouthi was previously involved in drug dealing.

Acquitting Mathlouthi

After examining the case, the Tunisian Interior Ministry said Mathlouthi is currently present in Tunisia and has no links to any terrorists.

Mathlouthi’s lawyer said his client has no record in Italy, adding that his residency expired six years ago and he eventually returned to Tunisia.

His wife Patricia and four children are still in Sicily.

Patricia voiced surprise over what happened and said that her husband has not been able to return to Italy ever since his residency expired six years ago.

She added that recent media reports on Mathlouthi had put her and the children in difficult circumstances as one of their sons refuses to eat and to go to school as he fears his friends’ reaction.

Spiteful ex-fiancé

Mathlouthi was acquitted after it was revealed that the anonymous tip was fabricated by his spiteful ex-fiancé who was angry that he decided not to divorce his wife and marry her as was planned.