Italian Embassy "bomber" remanded

A 39 year old man who threatened to blow himself as well as the Italian Embassy in Ghana up over difficulties in securing visas for his wife and kids has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Alhassane Quattara a mechanic is said to have gone to the embassy with a gas cylinder and lighter to reflect his threats.

Quattara charged with possessing an explosive without lawful authority, threat of death and attempt to commit crime to wit causing unlawful damage.

His wife, Fati Alhassane Quattara aka Veronica Kobla and Mohammed Salia a footballer have also been charged with two counts of abetment of crime.

They have pleaded not guilty.

The court remanded Quattara and Salia into Police custody while Fati was been granted bail in the sum of GH¢20,000.00.

They are to reappear on June 16.

Mr Niibi Ayibonte counsel for the accused persons prayed for bail for all of them.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Duuti Tuaruka told the court that the complainant was the security attache of the Italian Embassy.

Prosecution said Quattara started processing application for visa in the year 2010 for his wife Fati and kids so they could join him in Italy.

Following difficulties in securing the visa, Quattara travelled to Ghana on May 16, this year, to facilitate the process.

The following day, Chief Supt, Tuaruka said Quattara went to the Italian Embassy in Ghana to check on his documents only to detect that most vital documents were missing on his file.

On May 20, this year, Quattara and Fati went to the embassy again and confronted the security attaché at the entrance and began throwing pebbles as well as sachet water on to the premises. According to the prosecutor, Salia also took part in the act.

Prosecution said the security attaché called the Police and team from the Counter Terrorism were dispatched to the scene.

When the Police got to the scene, Quattara was nowhere to be found.

However 20 minutes later, he arrived at the embassy carrying a gas cylinder and he diffused it slightly and threatened to trigger it to blow up himself and the embassy if his visa problems were not addressed.

The Police calmed him down and he surrendered the gas cylinder.