Pandemic frees almost 400 mobsters in Italy

Dozens of mafia bosses are on the streets for health reasons

The coronavirus pandemic has brought nothing but good news for the Mafia in Italy. First, it created the ideal breeding ground for its growth in the underprivileged neighborhoods of Naples, Palermo and Reggio Calabria. Now, it has allowed the release of 376 bosses due to their advanced age and pre-existing illnesses that put their lives at risk. All of them are now under house arrest. 

But to this list of names, published by La Repubblica This week, another 6 prisoners with less than 18 months of sentence to serve and many other bosses who have already requested the benefit could also be added.

The movement led to the resignation of the head of the Department of Penitentiary Administration (DAP) and unleashed a political storm that threatens to overthrow the Minister of Justice, Alfonso Bonafede.

The streets of Italy saw an entire gallery of organized crime stars parade in one week.

Pasquale Zagaria, brother of supercapo da Camorra, Michelle Zagaria, and member of the Casalese clan, is now free. He was sentenced to the isolation regime described in article 41-bis, the harshest in Italy, for being the treasurer of one of the largest criminal groups in the country's history (responsible for the persecution of journalist Roberto Saviano, author of Gomorrah).

Francesco Bonura, lieutenant of the head of Cosa Nostra Bernardo Provenzano, returned to Palermo. Also Franco Catalado, sentenced to life imprisonment for having, at the behest of boss Totò Riina, dissolved in acid the 13-year-old son of a repentant. Vincenzo Iannazzo, from the top of the 'Ndrangheta, the powerful Calabrian mafia, spends his last days with his family in the heart of Lamezia. There are four examples.

To relieve pressure on penitentiaries

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Minister Bonafede, a key figure in the ruling 5-Star Movement (M5S) party and Giuseppe Conte's godfather as a candidate for prime minister two years ago, intended to ease pressure on penitentiaries, where in recent months several riots have ended with dozens of escapes. and the death of 13 inmates. But he didn't foresee the fire it would cause. The opposition, led by former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, came out in force to demand his head. But they are not the only ones bothered.

Information regarding the inconvenience of the measures comes from the highest levels of the Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office, starting with its main person in charge, Federico Cafiero De Raho, and is heard in characters such as Roberto Saviano, who reminded that the health and dignity of any prisoner must be respected. Critics of the measure claim that the guarantees are for everyone, and a democratic prison system is based on this.

But in no way should house arrest be adopted, especially for the mafia group. Saviano, like many other voices, asked that they serve their sentence in maximum security health centers and not in their homes.

With information Republic