In Italy, more than 200 suspects have been convicted in a mega trial against members of the mafia organization ‘Ndrangheta in Calabria. Two leaders of the ‘ndrangheta received the highest sentences, each with 30 years in prison. 338 suspects were on trial.
The suspects were charged with murder, money laundering, extortion, drug trafficking and membership of a mafia organization. The mafiosi used cafes, restaurants, hotels and even funeral parlors as fronts to launder money. The suspects also included businessmen, politicians and a former police chief.
Politician
The court imposed a total of more than 2,100 years in prison on the more than 200 convicts. 131 suspects were acquitted. Giancarlo Pittelli, lawyer and former MP of Forza Italia, the right-wing conservative party of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, is sentenced to eleven years in prison.
Key witnesses
The Public Prosecution Service used, among other things, the statements of 50 regrettables (‘pentiti’) who had said goodbye to the mafia. Many of these key witnesses are included in a witness protection program.
The trial, which began in January 2021, took place in a huge justice bunker in Lamezia Terme (Calabria), home of the ‘ndrangheta. It was the largest mafia trial in Italy since the 1980s.
Also see:
First 70 convictions in mega-trial against ‘Ndrangheta
