KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — A Malaysian man has been arrested after he allegedly accosted a couple for holding hands and kissing near a mosque in Rome, Italy.

According to ANSA news agency, the man told the couple that they were not permitted to have physical contact near the mosque, before shoving the woman and punching her companion on Sunday.

The Malaysian also allegedly attacked a member of the Carabinieri paramilitary force who was dispatched to investigate the incident.

He was subsequently detained by the Carabinieri.