Rome – One of the largest mafia trials in Italian history began on Wednesday in southern Italy. Hundreds of defendants are accused of working for a heinous criminal enterprise, with tentacles that reach the world so far.
If you’ve never heard ofNdrangheta the crime syndicate, which could be related to how difficult it is to pronounce the name. (Approximately: DRAHN-get-ah)
‘Ndrangheta is based in the southern region of Calabria – up to the “finger” on the Italian “map” on a map – from which it coordinates a the global drug trafficking network which generates tens of billions of euros a year, mostly from cocaine.
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There are more than 350 suspects in the case, including politicians and other officials accused of being “members of the Ndrangheta.” About 900 witnesses will testify against them and about 400 lawyers are also involved in the massive trial, which will be even more complicated than coronavirus pandemic.
Authorities had to build a high-security, high-capacity courtroom with room for 1,000 people – at a social distance – just for trial. However, thanks to COVID-19, many of the defendants will appear via the prison video link.
Italian officials take their health and safety concerns very seriously. The last time he organized a so-called “maxi-trial” even comparable to this was in the 90s, against the Cosa Nostra mafia in Sicily.
Shortly afterwards, his two chief judges were assassinated.