Bangladeshi asylum seeker arrested in Italy for sexual assaults and alleged abuse at Islamic centre

Italian police arrested a 21‑year‑old Bangladeshi asylum seeker in Mantova on 5 July after a swift investigation linked him to two violent assaults on women in May and June. The crimes, reported in Mantova, included sexual violence, robbery, aggravated injury and an attempted extortion attempt after stealing a victim’s phone. Investigators located the suspect using the stolen iPhone’s “Find My iPhone” feature, recovered the device and matching clothing, and secured a custodial order from the GIP.

In the nearby town of Jesi, municipal authorities condemned the violence, noting that a 47‑year‑old Bangladeshi religious instructor at the At‑Taqwa Islamic centre had been placed under house arrest for alleged physical and psychological abuse of about fifteen minors during Qur’an lessons. The mayor and deputy mayor stressed that education and violence are incompatible and called for stricter oversight of community‑run religious schools.

Both incidents have raised local concerns about the conduct of individuals in Islamic‑community settings and prompted calls for greater institutional vigilance.