British boxer, 34, who 'funded ISIS sleeper cell' arrested in Italian anti-terror probe
POLICE have arrested a British former professional boxer on suspicion of delivering funds to Islamic State terror cells.
British former boxer Hussain Shamshir was arrested in Rome on Saturday
Officers in Italy identified the man as Hussain Shamshir, who is of Pakistani origin, according to local media reports.
Shamshir, 34, was allegedly found to be travelling with a fake British passport after being held in Rome on Saturday.
Sources said Shamshir was also carrying $5,000 (£3,500) in cash – but told anti-terror police the money was for buying clothes.
We are in contact with Italian authorities
Officers believe the money was taken into Italy to finance a possible sleeper cell, according to the newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Shamshir was believed to have been travelling in a car alongside two other Pakistani men and a Kurdish man.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in contact with Italian authorities following the arrest of a British national in Rome."
The Islamic State terror group controls vast swathes of Syria and Iraq
Last week Italy’s Interior Minister denied reports that ISIS militants are planning to attacks tourists on beaches in the country.
Angelino Alfano said: "We don't want alarmism that can damage our tourism without adding anything in terms of security."
And intelligence chief Giacomo Stucchi said: "No one has ever spoken to us about planning under way for attacks of this type."