Italy arrests 37 accused of involvement in Sicilian MafiaApril 8, 2013 - 15:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italian authorities arrested 37 people accused of involvement in the Sicilian Mafia, including the mayor of a town on the island, police said on Monday, April 8, according to Reuters. The arrests, on charges including organized crime and extortion, were ordered by the Palermo anti-mafia office to tackle what police said was a network to control businesses in towns around Sicily's capital. Among those arrested was the mayor of Montelepre, a town of 6,000 famous as the home of 1940s "Robin Hood" bandit leader Salvatore Giuliano, as well as a livestock breeder who police said was the head of the ring. Anti-mafia prosecutor Francesco Messineo told reporters the investigation had revealed a concerted attempt to influence local politics. "Here we have two municipal governments... that have been the subject of strong mafia contamination," he said. Italy has long struggled against the ingrained influence of mafia organizations whose operations are estimated to constitute up to 10 percent of gross domestic product. Italy's main crime groups - the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, Calabria's 'Ndrangheta and the Camorra from the southern city of Naples - have a total annual turnover of 116 billion euros ($151 billion), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says. Last week Italy made its biggest confiscation of mafia assets in history, seizing dozens of green energy companies and other assets worth a total of 1.3 billion euros. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |