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.

Last Update: Tuesday, 3 April 2018 KSA 19:56 - GMT 16:56</s>Picture yourself in Tuscany near Florence, Italy. It is a quiet autumn Sunday afternoon. The sun is peaking through the scattered clouds, and a soft breeze is drifting through the tall, thin, Italian pines. Nobody is working in the vineyard or the Crush House. The beautiful Sangiovese grapes are hanging heavy on the vines, but the Chianti production will have to wait. The family and friends are coming into the wine estate’s villa and bringing the potluck dishes they are each famous for. Some were assigned antipasto, some zuppa (soup), some salad, some main course. Everyone would gather in the main room of the villa to dine on the finest of Italian food preparations. The vino would be on the table, and would consist of superb Chianti, Montalcino, and Montepulciano Vino.

This was the atmosphere when 94 Members of the PebbleCreek Italian-American Club assembled in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom to partake of the best in Italian cooking brought to the event by those members. Events of this magnitude do not just happen. This was no exception. The Steering Committee consisted of Mary Flynn, Karen Cassetta, Carol Sanders, Vera Cappiello, Alice Miller and Club President Ken Minichiello. These individuals did the planning for this event and did it well.

The event was chaired by the effervescent, amiable, and totally capable Pat Atkinson, whose enigmatic energy seemed endless as she deftly directed the event from the podium and out on the floor. Yes, she would leave the podium and go to the various food distribution stations to insure all was well.

The tables were decorated with beautiful flowered centerpieces along with baskets of Italian bread. The event was ready with two lines, one on each side of the room. A special debt of gratitude is due to Tom Orlando, Linda Orlando, JoAnn Fioretti, Gene Fioretti, Ron Behrens, Charlie Miller, Carolyn Minichiello, Roger Sanders and Howard Atkinson for their assistance throughout this event.

Of course, the Italian Food Potluck would not have been a success without the wonderful cooking of the members, whose time tested, and in some cases, ages-old family recipes passed down from generation to generation were presented. They were truly exceptional and most delicious.

Someone suggested the Italian-American Club should change their name to the Italian-American Eating Club. It is true we do enjoy our dining, including our monthly lunches at various local Italian and other restaurants, and our special events like the Poinsettia Ball, the Welcome Back Picnic for our snowbirds returning, the Putt and Eat Event, St. Joseph’s Day Celebration that is catered, the Day at the Races that has a wonderful buffet luncheon at Turf Paradise, or the home-hosted dinners enjoyed in the homes of some of our members. Dining is an important part of our culture.

If you would like to join us, we would love to have you. Contact our President Ken Minichiello at 623-217-2173 or 419-356-4010, or email kenminichiello@cox.net.
Italian authorities say a major terror alert in Rome last week was for an innocent man whose fiancé had made false, anonymous accusations to the Italian embassy in Tunisia.