ItalyA court today delivered verdicts against more than 300 criminals linked to the notorious ‘Ndrangheta mafia, concluding a landmark trial that lasted nearly three years.
Agence France-Presse reported that “The Brave” is one of the most powerful organized crime groups in the world. Italian prosecutors have asked the court to convict 322 convicted members and their white-collar associates, in what could be the biggest blow to “The Brave” in its history.
“Brave” originated from the poor Calabria region of southern Italy. After its development, its power has gone beyond the local area. It now almost monopolizes the cocaine trade in Europe and operates in more than 40 countries around the world.
The sentencing will also end Italy’s biggest mafia trial in decades. In this “super trial”, a large number of defendants accused of being part of a Mafia criminal conspiracy face judicial prosecution.
The court in the Vibo Valentia province of the Calabria region has heard thousands of hours of testimony since it began hearing the case in January 2021, including testimony from more than 50 people who have worked for “Brave.” Later it changed to a witness.
The testimony of these tainted witnesses and others detailed countless examples of atrocities committed by the “Braves” and oppression of local people, including violent attacks, extortion of businesses, manipulation of public tenders, weapons stockpiles, electoral fraud and Involves providing power. .or discount.
The defendant Vipo is a direct or affiliated member of the top “Brave” faction in the province of Valentia. The province is one of several economically distressed rural areas in Calabria, where the Mafia has blocked economic development for decades, infiltrated public institutions and terrorized the population.
Luigi Mancuso, 69, the undisputed leader of the Vipo Valentia gang and “The Brave”, was removed from the list of defendants last year and tried separately.
Today’s hearing took place in the court in Lamezia term. The courtroom was under tight security and had enough space to accommodate hundreds of lawyers. It was equipped with more than 20 screens to communicate with people in custody through video. The defendant made the connection.
International(tagstotranslate)Italy
