Italy

Life sentences upheld for 16 mafia members

Article published on the 2008-06-19 Latest update 2008-06-19 12:59 TU

A still from Gomorra, a film about the Casalesi
(Credit: Le Pacte)

An Italian appeals court in Naples Thursday upheld 16 life sentences on members of the most powerful and violent clan of the Camorra, a mafia based in southern Italy. Those convicted include the head of the clan, Francesco 'Sandokan' Schiavone.

The defendants, all linked to the Casalesi clan, were appealing 95 prison sentences, including 21 life sentences that were handed down in 2005 after the biggest trial in Italian history which started in 1998.

A total of 500 witnesses had testified in the so-called Spartacus trial, including 20 mafia turncoats.

Roberto Saviano, journalist and author of Gomorra, a book that revealed the workings of the highly secretive Casalesi clan, was present at the trial. Saviano has received numerous death threats since its publication, and travels with bodyguards.

"It is a victory for the nation, for the anti-mafia prosecutor's office, and for many journalists who worked in their shadow. But I believe it is only the beginning," he told the Italian daily La Repubblica.

 A film based on Saviano's book debuted at Cannes and will be released in October.