A teenager from the Whitchurch area of the Welsh capital appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London yesterday (Thursday), charged with terrorism offences – including alleged membership of a proscribed neo-Nazi group.
According to WalesOnline, nineteen-year-old Luca Benincasa, arrested by counter-terror police on Tuesday, also gave officers two addresses – Carisbrooke Way and The Philog.
The alleged membership of the neo-Nazi terror group in question concerns the Feuerkrieg Division – proscribed by the Home Office in July 2020.
Further charges against Benincasa concern four counts of alleged possession of information likely to be helpful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
Benincasa spoke in court yesterday to confirm his age, address, and date of birth.
Mark Pope, Detective Chief Inspector of the Wales Extremism and Counter-Terrorism Unit, said: “At no point was there any danger to the public.” Adding, “We work in close partnership with the public to ensure that we can intervene as early as possible to prevent those vulnerable to radicalisation.”
The judge remanded Benincasa in custody, and he will appear at the Old Baily on February 14.
Update: a provisional trial date of August 30 will occur at Winchester Crown Court