Letters containing bullets and threatening notes addressed to Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and his predecessor Silvio Berlusconi were intercepted by the post office, police said Friday. The letters, along with others containing bullets addressed to the editors of Italy's national newspapers, were sent by the Armed Proletarian Movement and intercepted at a post office in Calabria late on Thursday, the police said.
"There was one bullet per letter, each a different size and type, and a threatening letter of protest against the cuts," a police spokeswoman said. The message read: "Reconsider the austerity plan or we'll make you pay." Italy's lower house of parliament was preparing to put Monti's tough austerity measures to a confident vote on Friday. The premier has told Italians that the economic crisis is severe and they will have to tighten their belts.
"We will hit you and it will be a war to the death. We'll make you curse these measures in your blood. You will no longer sleep soundly. The bullets are many," the message said. As well a letter for Monti and Berlusconi, there were letters addressed to the heads of two major political parties: the left-wing Democratic Party (PD) and the Union of the Centre (UDC), as well as Italy's welfare minister.