General Pasquale Angelosanto of the Italian Gendarmerie (Carabinieri) said in a statement, “As part of the investigation conducted by the Palermo Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the gendarmerie teams detained fugitive Matteo Messina Denaro in a private clinic he went to for treatment.” said.
It was stated that 60-year-old Denaro, who has a finalized life sentence for the murders he committed and instigated, was taken to a secret place after he was detained.
The arrest of Denaro, known as the big boss of the mafia group “Cosa Nostra” operating on the island of Sicily in the south of the country, and one of the most wanted list, created a great impact in Italy.
Denaro played a role in numerous murders as well as the assassinations of the famous judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who became a symbol in the country with their struggle against the mafia, but could not escape being the target of the mafia in 1992, and also in Milan, Florence and Rome, which the mafia carried out in 1993. It was among the news in the press that he was responsible for the bomb attacks in .
Escaped from prison in the summer of 1993, Denaro was known as the most important name to lead this group after the notorious mafia ringleader of Cosa Nostra, Salvatore (Toto) Riina.
PRIME MINISTER MELONI COMMENTS DENARO’S CAPTURE AS ‘VICTORY’
Italian President Sergio Mattarella reportedly congratulated Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the gendarmerie on the capture of Denaro.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in a written statement about the capture of mafia ringleader Denaro, said, “A great victory for the state, which shows that it does not give up in the face of the mafia.” made his comment.
Meloni stated that Denaro was caught and brought to justice on the eve of the anniversary of the capture of another famous mafia ringleader, Salvatore (Toto) Riina. Meloni stated that his government will continue its fight against the mafia without interruption.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani also noted that with the capture of Denaro, the state dealt a heavy blow to the mafia.
Interior Minister Piantedosi also stated that Denaro’s capture was a historical event and he was very pleased with this result.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto congratulated the security forces on the capture and detention of Matteo Messina Denaro in a post on his Twitter account.
The Italian press also announced the capture of Denaro, who he described as the “Father of Fathers”, as a “last minute” development. (AA)