In July 2005, the Italian press revealed the existence of the Department of Anti-terrorism Strategic Studies (DSSA), a "parallel police" created by Gaetano Saya, leader of "Destra Nazionale" neofascist party, and Riccardo Sindoca, two leaders of the National Union of the Police Forces ("Unpf"). Both claimed they were former members of Gladio, NATO's "stay-behind" paramilitary organization involved in Italy's strategy of tension and various alleged activist acts. According to "Il Messaggero", quoted by "The Independent", judicial sources declared that wiretaps suggested DSSA members had been planning to kidnap Cesare Battisti.