Antonio Messina, a 79-year-old lawyer with alleged ties to the mafia, has been placed under house arrest by the Palermo District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA). Accused of managing the financial operations for the clan of fugitive boss Matteo Messina Denaro, Messina's arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the mafia's economic support networks. Known as 'Solimano' in encrypted notes exchanged between Messina Denaro and his long-time lover, Laura Bonafede, Messina is said to have played a pivotal role in ensuring the boss's financial sustenance during his years on the run.
The relationship between Messina and the mafia boss, however, was far from harmonious. Evidence from intercepted notes reveals a plan by Messina Denaro and Bonafede to intimidate the lawyer, whom they accused of violating financial agreements. 'That shit Solimano has destroyed us,' Bonafede wrote in one such note, highlighting the tension that had escalated to the point where Messina Denaro sought revenge against the lawyer for his alleged greed and betrayal.
Messina's criminal history includes convictions for drug trafficking, external complicity in a mafia association, witness tampering, and the kidnapping of Luigi Corleo, the father-in-law of mafia tax collector Nino Salvo. His formal affiliation with Cosa Nostra, admitted during a wiretapped conversation, underscores his deep-rooted connections within the mafia, particularly in the Trapani area over the past two decades. These ties were instrumental in acquiring economic activities to fund Messina Denaro's clandestine life.
The arrest of Antonio Messina not only tightens the noose around the associates of Matteo Messina Denaro but also sheds light on the intricate financial mechanisms that sustain Italy's most wanted fugitives. As the investigation continues, the case against Messina could unveil further details about the mafia's ability to operate and thrive, even as its leaders remain in hiding.
The Vatican is on the brink of a historic moment as it prepares for the conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis. The process, steeped in centuries-old traditions, involves 133 cardinals who will gather in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes. The outcome of each voting round will be...
In a gripping courtroom scene in Cagliari, prosecutor Marco Cocco has called for a life sentence without the possibility of parole for Igor Sollai, the 43-year-old accused of the aggravated voluntary homicide and concealment of the body of his wife, Francesca Deidda. The case, which has...
In a poignant ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the David di Donatello awards, Italian President Sergio Mattarella was honored with a special award for his unwavering support of the Italian cinema. The event, held at the Quirinale, underscored the profound connection between Italy's...
In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Florence's Sottopasso delle Cure witnessed another distressing incident as Marco's makeshift bookstore was vandalized once again. This marks the second such attack within months, raising concerns over the safety and preservation of cultural spaces...
In a significant operation against organized crime in Sicily, Italian carabinieri have executed precautionary measures against five individuals, including Giovanni Luppino, the driver of the notorious mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro. The arrests, carried out in Partanna, Trapani, target...
