Anti-mafia arrests
ROME – ITALIAN police have arrested almost 6,500 Mafia members, including 20 of the most dangerous, since Prime Minister Berlusconi took office in May 2008, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said on Sunday.
‘Between May, 2008 and July 31, 2010, 6,483 Mafiosi were arrested, including 26 of the most dangerous fugitives. That’s an average of eight Mafiosi a day and one super-fugitive a month,’ Maroni told journalists in Palermo, Sicily.
He said that during the same period police confiscated or impounded goods and property worth a total of almost 15 billion euros (S$26 billion). ‘These are significant results,’ said Maroni, who is a member of the anti-immigrant Northern League led by Umerto Bossi.
Mr Maroni also highlighted what he said were good results against illegal immigration since a deal was signed with Tripoli two years ago to allow those trying to reach Italy by sea to be sent back to Libya.
‘Between August 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010, (immigrant) arrivals by sea have been reduced by 88 percent compared to the previous (year’s) period, dropping from 29,076 to 3,499,’ Mr Maroni said.
Italian politicians, including the interior minister, and police rank and file traditionally meet to discuss law and order on the Roman Catholic feast of the Assumption on August 15. — AFP source The Strait Times
