(VOVworld) - Suspected extremists being investigated in Italy over links to al-Qaeda may have been planning an attack on the Vatican in 2010, prosecutors say. A militant ring was found to be operating in Sardinia, and there had been possible plans to target the Holy See, according to investigators. The Vatican has downplayed the significance of the claims. Some of the suspects are believed to have organised the 2009 market bombing in Peshawar in Pakistan. Local media said two of the men had provided protection for former al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Police issued 20 warrants and made nine arrests in raids on Friday.