{"id":26615,"date":"2023-11-21T05:06:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T10:06:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=26615"},"modified":"2023-11-21T05:06:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T10:06:42","slug":"207-gang-members-sentenced-to-total-of-2200-years-in-jail-after-one-of-italys-biggest-mafia-trials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2023\/11\/21\/207-gang-members-sentenced-to-total-of-2200-years-in-jail-after-one-of-italys-biggest-mafia-trials\/","title":{"rendered":"207 gang members sentenced to total of 2,200 years in jail after one of Italy’s biggest mafia trials"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over 200 gang members have been sentenced to a total of more than 2,200 years after one of the biggest mafia trials in Italian history.<\/p>\n

Some 338 defendants were accused of being members of the powerful crime group, ‘Ndrangheta, with the trial ongoing since January 2021.<\/p>\n

Founded in the 18th century in Calabria, it has grown to become one of the world’s most powerful, extensive and richest criminal organisations.<\/p>\n

‘Ndrangheta is the only\u00a0mafia<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to be active in every continent – apart from Antarctica – is said to control 80% of Europe’s cocaine trade, and has an estimated annual turnover of \u00a352bn.<\/p>\n

The three-year trial involved mafiosi, entrepreneurs and politicians, and included charges of murder, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion.<\/p>\n

Since retiring last month to consider their verdicts, the three judges had to live in a safe house under police protection.<\/p>\n

Some 67 defendants were already found guilty after opting for a speedy trial, and 131 people have now been acquitted<\/p>\n

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Officials listen as the judges read the verdicts. (Image:<\/span> AP)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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A large bunker courtroom was built in Lamezia Terme, Italy, to hold the trial. (Image:<\/span> AP)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Among those convicted were Domenico Tomaino, known as ‘The Wolf’, who got 17 years; ‘Fatty’ Francesco Barbieri, who got 24 years; and Vincenzo Barba, known as ‘The Musician’, who was sentenced to 28 years.<\/p>\n

Ex-Forza Italia MP Giancarlo Pittelli, one of the most high-profile defendants, received 11 years for being a mafia go-between.<\/p>\n

The bosses of two ‘Ndrangheta clans, Saverio Razionale and Domenico Bonavota, both got 30 years, Sky News understands.<\/p>\n

Several dozen informants betrayed the organisation and its strict code of silence to provide evidence for the prosecution.<\/p>\n

‘The Uncle’<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ‘maxi trial’ focused on one of the ‘Ndrangheta’s key families, the Mancusos, and their associates.<\/p>\n

The man said to be the family’s ‘Godfather’ figure, Luigi Mancuso, known as ‘The Uncle’, is due to face a separate trial. His nephew has already given evidence against the organisation.<\/p>\n

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Luigi Mancuso is said to be a leading figure in the ‘Ndrangheta (Image:<\/span> Police handout)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Special forces and elite units hit the ‘Ndrangheta in December 2019, with around 3,000 officers raiding 12 Italian regions and also making arrests in Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria.<\/p>\n

Millions of euros worth of properties and cash were seized, while 300 suspects were detained.<\/p>\n