Italian police seize €1.6bn in assets from family suspected of mafia linksJuly 8, 2015 - 14:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italian police say they have seized more than €1.6 bn in assets from five Sicilian siblings suspected of links to the mafia, BBC News reports. The five are thought to have been helped by the criminal group to secure public construction contracts. Police in the regional capital Palermo say it is one of the largest raids they have ever carried out. Analysts say Sicily's Cosa Nostra and other mafia groups have expanded their activities during Italy's recession. Among the assets seized are bank accounts, property and furniture. The five - three brothers and two sisters - are all in their sixties and seventies. They worked as laborers in the early 1980s but went on to become billionaires, Italian media reported. Related links: 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 | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |