|
|
Post by Eagle on Sept 26, 2008 1:01:59 GMT -5
jack, thanks for the posting that.
I didn't notice any problems of this type when I was in Napoli and the south in May, but that region seems to have recurring criminal activity involving that "organization", and it never really seems to get settled.
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
Post by WillTravel on Oct 8, 2008 22:05:31 GMT -5
I saw the movie "Gomorra" last night (play on words on "Camorra" and "Gomorrah"). This is based on the investigative book by Roberto Saviano, who is under police protection after writing that expose. Apparently he was smuggled into the Cannes Film Festival to see it. It was grim, grim, grim - a very violent movie, as you might imagine. Plus, it showed the slums of Naples, and polluted areas where the mafia has just dumped highly toxic poisonous stuff to just leach into the soil and groundwater. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Saviano |
|
|
|
Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 15, 2008 23:02:08 GMT -5
WT, I've read the book but didn't realise the movie had been released - will keep an eye out for it, thanks for the heads up. The author, Roberto Saviano, has been getting threats since he was researching the book, then when he released it and now with the film out things are no doubt pretty grim. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7671614.stm
|
|
|
|
Post by Eagle on Oct 15, 2008 23:51:24 GMT -5
I was watching Telegiornale 24 this morning, and if I understood the news correctly there may have been an attempt on Saviano today (unsuccessful AFAIK). It appeared that the Carabinieri have arrested a number of individuals, and when they were leading them (handcuffed) into cells, they had their sidearms out of the holster. Saviano was speaking to the media, but I wasn't able to comprehend all of the dialogue.
According to the BBC link that MTH provided, he wants to leave Italy so that he can live somewhat of a "normal" life. I wish him luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 16, 2008 0:45:43 GMT -5
Ciao Aquila (aka Eagle)! There wasn't an attempt as such, these guys were arrested for plotting to kill him, apparently before Christmas was the plan. The main guy behind the plot, who wasn't arrested, was also behind a hit on 7 people last month as a show of force to the community as a whole, 6 of those killed were African immigrants. Apparently an informant has been in touch with police and the courts to advise of the plot, and this also lead to the arrests of those who killed the 7.
If you're in Naples, it will be rare to actually see troops as such. These deployments are of Carabinieri (national/fedral police) who patrol cities and highways regularly, as well as from a special task force (Folgore, a paratroop division). I remember this kind of response to the car bombings of the anti-Mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino in 1992, it's a shame it's still happening to such a level, but history shows us it might not change in a huge hurry. Authors like Saviano and activists like Falcone, Tiziana Parenti and Rita Borsellino did/are doing a lot to combat the strong-arming, but people in their everyday lives have to make the changes and that's the hard part.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eagle on Oct 16, 2008 19:05:04 GMT -5
I'm not sure when or if the movie Gomorrah will be shown in this area, so I've ordered the book for now. Some of the reviews that I've seen indicated that the translation from Italian wasn't perfect, but I'm sure it will be interesting anyway.
The Carabinieri seem to be prominent everywhere in Italy. I believe they're a branch of the military, under the Ministry of Defense (somewhat of a "paramilitary" police force). I'm not sure whether the Carabinieri or Polizia di Stato (also somewhat ubiquitous) are more similar to the RCMP (which have been awarded the military status of a Regiment of Dragoons).
Regarding the African immigrants, I recall seeing a news story recently showing them rioting in the streets over the deaths. Unfortunately, their anger was directed in the wrong direction.
|
|
