Rome: Bomb found on local politician's car

Rome police on Wednesday defused a bomb found on the parked car of a local politician.

The bomb was found just two kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Stadio Olimpico, where a few hours later the Euro 2020 match between Italy and Switzerland kicked off, though it appeared Marco Doria was the target of the thwarted attack.

The bomb squad was called to a residential neighborhood in the Italian capital on Wednesday afternoon after someone noticed suspicious wires on or inside the vehicle, domestic media reported, citing police sources.

The street was subsequently blocked off and experts defused the homemade explosive, which was hidden in an aerosol can.

Rome mayor: 'A very serious event'

"A bomb was found in the car of Marco Doria, president of the working group for the redevelopment of parks and historic villas in Rome," Mayor Virginia Raggi said on Twitter. "A very serious event, I express my full solidarity."

Doria had already been placed under police protection due to prior threats, according to reports.

Though authorities refused to speculate on the motive, television channel TGcom24 said the intimidation related to his denunciation of illegal squatting in historic buildings, and damage to statues and fountains.

Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation.

jsi/sms (AFP, dpa)