French Man Detained in Italy After Three Akeron Missiles Found in Van
Investigators said paperwork anomalies and container markings raised doubts about whether the missiles were properly authorized for transport.
- Italian law enforcement stopped French citizen Regis Claude Albert Normand at the port of Bari after he arrived from Patras on the Superfast vessel, discovering five containers of military equipment in his van.
- Investigators found one empty container, one inert training missile, and three Akeron missiles; while blue bands initially suggested training gear, removing the tape revealed colors indicating high-explosive ammunition designed for penetration.
- Normand claimed he was transporting equipment for the defence firm MBDA to Altus LSA for repairs, but the judge noted vague documents, missing Italian permits, and discrepancies in stamps and dates.
- Bari court judge Valeria Isabella Valenzi ordered pre-trial detention for Normand, citing the need for further investigation, as Italian army experts determine the exact nature of the seized military cargo.
- Authorities are investigating the origin and destination of the Akeron missiles, which technical assessments classify as weapons of war, as Normand's defence team submitted documentation including a 2025 authorization from the French Ministry of Defence.
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A 46-year-old French citizen was arrested at the port of Bari, Italy, on charges of arms trafficking, after three Akeron anti-tank missiles and various military materials being transported from Greece were in his van.
Liberation
Le FigaroThe weapons, disguised as NATO training equipment, were found in June during a routine check in Bari, in the south of the country. The driver has since been in pre-trial detention.
The Local - It
French man arrested in Italy after anti-tank missiles found in van
A French man was arrested in Italy on arms trafficking charges after a police check found three anti-tank missiles and other military equipment in his van, authorities said.
A French citizen was arrested in Italy for arms trafficking after three anti-tank missiles and other military equipment were discovered in his truck following a routine police check, the authorities announced on Wednesday.
46-year-old man arrested in Bari after discovery of three anti-tank missiles
Arrested in Bari, on his descent from a ferry from Greece, the man claims that he was carrying the weapons on behalf of their manufacturer, MBDA France.
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