A number of men suspected of planning a terrorist attack in Italy have been linked to a possible plot against Denmark

Italian police have arrested five North African men who they say planned terror attacks in northern Italy in 2006, and also plotted an attack against Denmark.

Italian media reports that the men are charged with being part of an international terrorist organisation that had concrete plans to attack the subway system in Milan and the San Petronio church in Bologna three years ago.

It is reported that the organisation was also targeting Denmark, Spain and France, but no further information has been released about possible targets in these countries.

The five men are said to belong to a group with roots in Syria, Algeria and Morocco and are accused of recruiting and training individuals for terrorist activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Danish intelligence service PET declined to comment on the case.