Mauritania arrests suspect in kidnapping of 2 Italians

Kidnapping suspect arrested in Mauritania

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — A security official says that Mauritanian police have arrested a man presumed to have kidnapped two Italians last week.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Tuesday that Abderrahmane Ould Imidou was arrested Monday near Kobeni, where the couple’s car was found with bullet holes. He will be taken to the capital, Nouakchott, for questioning.

Sergio Cicala and his wife were taken by gunmen Friday night from their vehicle, according to Mauritanian security officials.

Cicala’s daughter Alexia told Italian Sky TG24 on Sunday that her father and his wife, identified by Italian media as Philopene Kabore, were heading to Burkina Faso. Kabore is an Italian citizen from Burkina Faso.