Bouhrama Yamine

Bouhrama Yamine, born in Algeria on September 1973, was sentenced to six years in prison for violating Article 270 bis of the Italian Penal Code, associating to commit acts of international terrorism in Italy and abroad. Particularly for the preparation and execution of terrorist actions to be carried out against governments, military forces, institutions, international organizations, citizens, and other civilian targets, wherever located, associated with Western and non-Western states deemed “infidels” and enemies; all within the framework of a “Jihad” project, understood as a violent strategy for the affirmation of the “pure principles” of that religion; the facilitation of illegal immigration into Italy and other states by militants; the procurement of false identity documents and residence permits for members of the organization; the collection of funds necessary to achieve the organization’s goals; proselytism carried out through video and audio cassettes, propaganda documents, and sermons inciting violent actions and personal sacrifice in suicide actions intended to strike the “infidel” enemy; the availability of explosives or otherwise toxic substances to be used for the preparation of explosive devices or to carry out acts of bioterrorism; the provision, in any case, of all the means necessary for the implementation of the association’s criminal program and for the support of the “brothers” operating according to the described program.
He was identified as a member of the “Salerno Group,” an autonomous cell linked to the SGPC, founded in Algeria in 1998 after a split from the Armed Islamic Group led by Hassan Hattab, which used support networks in Europe to raise funds and recruit militants. The SGPC, created with Osama Bin Laden’s cooperation, had established clandestine cells in Europe since 1998, with supporters in Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, and London. Arrests in Frankfurt, London, and Milan confirmed its links to al-Qaeda. The SGPC was listed as a terrorist group by the EU and the UN, becoming al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in January 2007 after Hattab’s ouster in 2003.
Bouhrama held leadership and organizational roles within the cell operating in the Naples area and other parts of Italy, coordinating the activities of the Italian cell members and acting as a liaison between the transnational organization’s leadership and the Italian cell members. After serving his sentence, handed down by the Naples Court on January 10, 2008, for conspiracy to commit international terrorism, material falsification, counterfeiting of public seals, and receiving stolen goods, he was released and deported to Algeria due to social dangerousness.
In November 2003, the Carabinieri initiated an investigation named “Full Moon” against a group of Algerians residing in the Naples area, deemed of “objective investigative interest,” especially due to their close ties with Serai Khaled, a SGPC member. One of them, Bouhrama Yamine, after leaving Campania, was found to be frequently visiting Vicenza, where he shared a residence with Serai Khaled for a period. Investigations revealed that Bouhrama adhered to an extremist ideology advocating jihad and anti-Western sentiments, had substantial knowledge of materials usable for explosive manufacturing, and maintained a network of relationships in Europe, with particular links in Norway (where he lived with false documents obtained in France), France, and England, where he was in contact with individuals investigated for international terrorism.
Wiretaps during the “Full Moon” investigation recorded conversations in which Bouhrama expressed approval for attacks against American soldiers and discussed how to make explosive mixtures with easily obtainable materials such as agricultural chemicals. In Naples, Bouhrama had contacts with Abdelkader Larachiche, linked to Djamel Lounici, the head of the network dismantled in the “Moschea” investigation, for which he was sentenced to eight years in prison. Bouhrama used an apartment in Via Tavernelle in Capaccio as a logistical center for Algerian citizens connected to him, including Achour Rabah and Samir Tartag, who were arrested along with him. Intercepted conversations in 2003 revealed plans to create a cooperative as a cover for illegal activities. Bouhrama was found in possession of false documents and had employed surveillance evasion techniques indicative of paramilitary training. His intercepted conversations after the Madrid bombings in 2004 and the Sharm El-Sheikh bombings in 2005 showed his approval of terrorist attacks and his intention to carry out similar attacks.
In a search on July 28, 2005, Bouhrama was found in possession of various false documents and materials for making explosives. In conclusion, Bouhrama Yamine was an active and dangerous member of a terrorist network with coordination and logistical support roles, involved in numerous subversive activities, and had an extensive network of contacts in Europe. The Carabinieri also confirmed the international nature of Bouhrama’s relationships, with specific links to suspects residing in France and England. Additionally, he showed constant interest in fundraising conducted at the Vicenza Mosque, where he inquired about the amount donated by each believer, specifying that part of the collected money should support the Palestinian cause. Moreover, he intended to leave the national territory once his Italian documents were renewed. Unlike his compatriots, who were more focused on the situation in Algeria, Bouhrama demonstrated particular attention to areas symbolizing the opposition between Islam and the Western world, such as Bosnia, Chechnya, and Iraq, indicating a profile more oriented towards international jihadism.