PETALING JAYA: Italian authorities have confirmed with the Malaysian embassy in Rome that the man detained for allegedly attacking a couple in the Italian capital was not Malaysian.

The man was accused of attacking a man and a woman who were holding hands and kissing near an Islamic centre in Rome’s Esquilino quarter.

An embassy official in Rome said that Italian authorities have confirmed that the suspect is actually from Mali.

“We received the confirmation on Wednesday morning (Italian time),” said the official.

According to the Ansa news agency, the 24-year-old suspect admonished the couple for the public display of affection on Sunday night.

The man reportedly told them “you cannot kiss in front of the mosque” before pushing the young woman and kicking her male partner.

The unnamed assailant allegedly attacked police who came to the scene, Ansa reported.