Concern Grows as Freed Mafia Bosses Return to Sicily

ITItaly|

Families of victims of the Sicilian mafia are voicing their fears as over 20 senior mobsters, released from prison in recent months, are set to return to the communities they once controlled. Many of these individuals, including notorious bosses from Palermo, have been released on the grounds of good behavior but have never renounced their allegiance to Cosa Nostra. This situation raises concerns about the safety of these neighborhoods and the ongoing fight against organized crime.

Salvatore Borsellino, brother of the late anti-mafia judge Paolo Borsellino, remarked on the dangers posed by such releases, stating they are detrimental to efforts against the mafia. The nephew of murdered police officer Nino Agostino also stressed the importance of remaining vigilant, as these released mobsters may hold crucial information related to unsolved mafia crimes.

Among the released figures is 74-year-old Raffaele Galatolo, a veteran mafia boss, who was recently deemed a "model detainee." His release follows that of Giuseppe Corona, who had been in a maximum-security prison pending trial since 2018. The Palermo court has also released several other mafia leaders, linking these decisions to changes in Italian law that have allowed for early release of prisoners who have not cooperated with authorities.

Local prosecutors fear that these changes could facilitate a resurgence of organized crime, as Cosa Nostra may seek to re-establish its governing body, known as the Cupola. Experts have warned that the combination of legal leniency and the returning mobsters could herald a new phase of mafia activities in Sicily. With many of these figures maintaining their loyalty to the mafia, the risks to public safety and the ongoing battle against organized crime could be significantly heightened.

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