Mohamed Game

Mohamed Game, born on October 17, 1974, in Benghazi, Libya, was convicted for transporting an explosive device to a public location with the intent to attack the “Santa Barbara” Army Barracks in Milan. However, the device was improperly constructed, resulting in several severe injuries and lightly wounding two soldiers, including a corporal. Moreover, Game was also convicted for purchasing large quantities of chemical precursors used in the manufacturing of explosives. These materials were subsequently transferred to the residence of a friend, Kol Abdel, where Game transformed into various explosive devices.
On October 12, 2009, at 7:40 AM, Game approached the “Santa Barbara” Army Barracks. Taking advantage of the gate’s opening, he followed a vehicle through the entrance, thereby breaching the guardhouse. After taking a few steps inside the area, he detonated a device he was holding. The explosion engulfed him, causing life-threatening injuries that were later confirmed by medical staff at the “Fatebene Fratelli” hospital, noting “blast injuries to the eyeballs, extensive lacerations with significant fractures, and trauma to the right hand.” A soldier reported that when he approached Game after the detonation, despite his numerous injuries, Game weakly uttered, “You need to leave Afghanistan.”
During the investigation, Game’s brother was interrogated, and stated that he did not have a good relationship with him. Following a heart attack in 2008, Game had changed his lifestyle, began attending the mosque, and referred to his brother as an infidel for not participating in religious practices, such as attending the mosque or observing Ramadan. The brother also noted that Game spent many hours on the computer. On one occasion, while in the car with him, Game remarked, as he stopped the vehicle to allow two soldiers to pass, that he “would run them over with the car.”
Game’s partner was also interviewed. She reported that he had developed an interest in Islam, started reading the Quran, and began visiting websites containing graphic images related to terrorist attacks. Additionally, Game had set images of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri as the wallpaper on his computer. She further mentioned that Game only frequented the mentioned Kol , the individual who lent Game the apartment, and another friend, Mohamed Israfel.
Game’s nephew was also interrogated. During his 45-day stay at his uncle’s house, he observed Game visiting websites that provided instructions for building explosive devices and even witnessed a bomb on the screen. Game frequented sites that displayed footage of suicide bombers in Iraq and discussions of holy war. When the nephew asked why Game visited these sites, he responded that he “wanted to wage Jihad even in Italy,” discussing plans for suicide attacks in Italy as a means to achieve paradise. The nephew expressed that he left his uncle’s house out of fear for his uncle’s intentions.
Israfel, a friend of Game, reported that for approximately two months, Game had explicitly expressed his desire to carry out attacks in Italy and to die as a martyr. He stated his intention to target Mediaset networks, claiming that President Berlusconi was responsible for the country’s foreign policy and the deployment of soldiers to Afghanistan. Israfel also noted that Game believed “Al Qaeda was the only movement that fully applied Islam” and that the explosives they constructed were easily replicable.
During his interrogation, Game claimed to have acted alone, stating that he had assembled the explosive device independently and that his friend Kol Abdel was unaware of his plans. He asserted that his actions were intended to convey the message of “enough with the war, let us withdraw the troops from Afghanistan.” He maintained that he did not intend to harm anyone; otherwise, he would have utilized the full 120 kg of explosives at his disposal instead of the 5 kg he employed.
He insisted that his goal was not to inflict harm but rather that he had inserted the cigarette incorrectly into the hole made in the box, which inadvertently caused the explosion. He also claimed to have visited those websites purely out of curiosity and for informational purposes.
Authorities discovered 788 documents on Game’s computer, the majority of which pertained to jihad from both ideological and propagandistic perspectives, as well as practical aspects related to operational and physical preparation for jihad. Numerous files were linked to Abu Musab, a theorist of jihad from the late decade. The Public Prosecutor requested a 14-year prison sentence for crimes related to terrorism and the subversion of the democratic order.
Finally, Mohamed Game was convicted by the Tribunal of Milan to 14 years imprisonment.