Italian Court Sentences Members of Hardline Fan Groups
In a recent ruling, an Italian court has handed down prison sentences ranging from two to ten years to 16 members of the hardline fan groups of Inter Milan and AC Milan. These sentences come as a result of serious charges including murder, extortion, and forming criminal associations with connections to the notorious ‘Ndrangheta‘ mafia. The verdicts were reached during a swift trial that took place behind closed doors at a high-security court located in Milan’s San Vittore prison, following an extensive investigation led by Milan’s prosecutors alongside the national anti-mafia prosecutor’s office.
Background and Arrests
The arrests that sparked this trial dated back to September, when 19 individuals were apprehended. A subsequent trial is set to take place on June 19, involving three additional AC Milan fans. Prosecutors contended that the ultra factions were operating as “private militias”, exerting their influence well beyond the sports arena, with far-right extremist groups and organized crime infiltrating their ranks.
Key Sentences and Individuals Involved
Significantly, around 200 AC Milan supporters gathered outside the courthouse to show their support for the accused prior to the sentencing. Among those sentenced was Andrea Beretta, the former head of Inter Milan’s ultra group, who received a ten-year prison term after admitting to the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a prominent figure within the ‘Ndrangheta‘. His cooperation with law enforcement post-arrest resulted in a reduced sentence.
Similarly, Luca Lucci, the long-standing leader of AC Milan’s ultras, was sentenced to ten years and given an additional four years of probation due to charges surrounding criminal association and attempted murder, while he is also being investigated for international drug trafficking in a separate case.
Defense Statements and Judicial Proceedings
The defense for these individuals dismissed the charges as flimsy, referring to the prosecution’s case as “a house of cards.” In this particular fast-track trial format, judges adjudicate cases without witness testimony, and participants benefit from a sentence reduction of one-third by opting for this expedited process. The presiding judge, Rossana Mongiardo, also imposed financial penalties, mandating each convicted member to pay €50,000 to each club and an additional €20,000 to Italy’s Serie A, with future damages to be determined through civil litigation.
Wider Implications of Organized Crime
Milan prosecutors detailed that the leaders of these ultra groups coordinated ticket scams and extorted funds from businesses near the shared San Siro stadium of both teams. Investigators noted that the issues unearthed in Milan are reflective of wider trends in Italy, where organized crime is increasingly enlisting the support of aggressive fan groups, a problem that similarly plagues Greece, where authorities have undertaken numerous arrests linking violent sports aficionados to criminal organizations.
