Passion for Soccer Results in Arrest of Italy's Camorra Mafia Associate
The triumph of the Italian soccer team, Napoli, resulted in the capture of a notorious fugitive. Vincenzo La Porta, a chief member of the Camorra mafia organization, had laid low for 11 years, remaining elusive to the authorities. However, his appearance in a photo of Napoli fans cheering their team's first Serie A win in over three decades exposed his whereabouts. The Camorra is similar to the mafia group 'Ndrangheta and is involved in various unlawful activities, including money laundering, global organized crime, gambling, and more.
In the image, a group of fans celebrated the victory in an Italian restaurant on the Greek island of Corfu. La Porta's image was visible as he clutched a blue and white scarf. Italian authorities remained unsure until they detained him.
La Porta was apprehended last Friday while riding a moped and was caught following identification through the photograph. He faced a court hearing on Saturday to initiate the extradition process.
Napoli's Victory Aided Authorities
Napoli's win at the end of the 2022-23 season in May came as a surprise - it was their first championship title since 1990, surpassing Udinese. The championship title aided authorities in their relentless pursuit of the elusive fugitive residing in Greece. Authorities collaborated extensively to scrutinize the financial ties among La Porta's supporters and examine the online social media circles of Napoli soccer fans in Corfu.
In 1999, La Porta was found guilty of several crimes, including conspiracy, tax evasion, and fraud. He was sentenced to 14 years in absentia and was on Italy's list of its 100 most wanted criminals ever since.
La Porta's lawyer claimed that he had led a clean life during his time in Corfu. He feared that extraditing him could have severe repercussions on his health.
Extradition: A Commonly Politicized Process
Authorities have not disclosed the duration of the extradition process or whether the request will be granted. Both Italy and Greece are part of the European Convention on Extradition. However, Greece does not always comply with extradition requests from Italy.
In a 1988 instance, Greece rejected Italy's request to extradite accused terrorist and Red Brigades member Mauricio Folini, citing political grounds. Italy also rejected requests from Romania for the extradition of former government official Ionel Arsene this year.
Italy's legal system allows its judges to refuse extradition requests if the target has resided in Italy for at least five years. Consequently, these requests often become political tools, used by countries to influence their external relationships.
Camorra: Italy's Dangerous Mafia Organization
The Camorra holds a reputation as one of Italy's most violent and dangerous criminal organizations. It dates back to the 14th century in the city of Naples, making it the oldest criminal organization in the nation.
During Italy's fascist regime, the Camorra faced harsh punishment, leading many to believe that it had disappeared. However, it re-emerged in the 1960s, culminating in a surge of activity in the 1990s. The group reappeared during a period of increased tension between Naples' lower and upper classes due to a widespread economic and social crisis that left thousands impoverished.
Corruption and political corruption provided the Camorra with more power, acting as an intermediary between the lower classes and the elite.
The organization is allegedly involved in various illegal activities, such as extortion, drug trafficking, gambling, sexual exploitation, and murder. Since the late 1990s, the Camorra has been prosecuted, leading to a decline in its influence. However, it remains active.
Although less prominent than before, the Camorra reportedly has expanded its reach beyond Italy, forming strong links in Spain.
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Source: www.casino.org
