Italian Mafia and Italian Court Officials Accused of Conspiracy over 1990 Bombings
Italian big bosses of the controversial Mafia group and Italian officials, faced trial over accusations of conspiring to give lighter sentences and special treatment in prisons for Mafia's convicted gangsters, Reuters reported.
Both current and past court officials faced allegation of entering a secret agreement with the Italian mob under the condition that the Mafia will stop its slew of deadly bombings happening in the early 1990's.
The 23-year-old long due trial was rooted to a dark period in the Italian history famously dubbed as the "Bribesville" scandals. This period was marked by turbulent incidents as sequence of Mafia bombings happened consequently after big companies and some political figures exposed the bribery done by the Italian mob. It was said that during this time, all successful business in the country paid bribes to the Mafias.
It is to be recalled that the "Bribesville" scandals had brought down the seven-times Prime Minister , Giulio Andreotti, the Socialite leader, Bettino Crazi along with top political figures. During this time loyalists to other political parties shifted their trust to federalist Northern League which vowed to uphold anti-graft corruption platform - this weakened the power of the Italian Mafia to almost nothing.
As the political leadership shifted, strings of political corruption expose' happened. The jails were overflowing with members of the Mafia. Officials were even saying that if all involved were to face trial, there will be 100,000 people to be brought in court.
Today, prosecutors alleged that the slew of bombings stopped in 1994 after a deal was done with Marcello Dell'Utri. During that time, Marcello Dell'Utri was a senator and close associate of Silvio Berlusconi. Silvio Berlusconi, on the other hand, was the successor of the old political party overthrown when the "Bribesville" scandals happened.
Palermo judge Alfredo Montalto begun trial just in time for the 20-year anniversary of a Mafia car bombing in Uffizi Gallery. The said bombing killed five people - Judge Giovanni Falcone, his wife, a newborn baby included. The said trial was conducted in a highly secured "bunker" courthouse just within distance from Palermo.
Prosecutors alleged that the "deal" under scrutiny - to give lighter sentences and special treatment in prisons for Mafia's convicted gangsters - happened days after the death of the Falcones.
However, the concealed "deal" provoked more mafia bombings and assassination of prosecutor Paolo Borsellino who expressed strong disapproval against the "deal".
Prosecutor Antonino Di Matteo spoke to the media prior to the hearing on Monday. He said that, "The state cannot sweep its responsibilities under the rug.
There ten defendants in the case but all denied their involvements.
Silvio Berlusconi was not charged.
Minister Nicola Mancino, who testified against the "deal" faced trial for false testimony while the other nine defendants faced charges of seeking to blackmail the state.
Prosecutor Vittorio Teresi said that he is contemplating on charging Minister Nicola Mancino of additional case since he aided the mob.
Minister Nicola Mancino, objected this saying that he "fought against the Mafia. I cannot be tried alongside the Mafias. I will ask to be tried separately."
As for the Mafia, there were four big bosses facing charges including big boss Salvatore "the Beast" Riina and Giovanni Brusca was said to participate as a look out as the dealing was conducted.