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Italy’s largest mafia trial in decades began this week, taking on at least 325 alleged members of the ‘Ndrangheta (which I understand is pronounced something like “un-drang-geta”, though Italians might correct me on this).
The word derives from the Greek for heroism or virtue.
The word derives from the Greek for heroism or virtue.
Some quick stats on the trial, which could last months/years:
325 defendants
438 charges
913 witnesses
58 informants
This piece (by @gaia_pianigiani) is a really good overview of what’s going on: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/world/europe/italy-mob-trial-Ndrangheta-Calabria.html
325 defendants 438 charges 913 witnesses 58 informantsThis piece (by @gaia_pianigiani) is a really good overview of what’s going on: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/world/europe/italy-mob-trial-Ndrangheta-Calabria.html
The ‘Ndrangheta are known as the most powerful criminal organisation in Italy & one of the most dangerous groups in the world - notorious for money laundering, drug trafficking & weapons sales.
Their abuse of women is mentioned less often - as is the role of women in this trial.
Their abuse of women is mentioned less often - as is the role of women in this trial.
The ‘Ndrangheta is known to have forced girls into marriage, sometimes at the age of 13 or 14.
If their husbands die, or are arrested, women are rarely allowed to move on. Instead, they’re expected to remain faithful to his memory - and risk death if they disobey.
If their husbands die, or are arrested, women are rarely allowed to move on. Instead, they’re expected to remain faithful to his memory - and risk death if they disobey.
Last week, Italian regional news site @ilviboneseweb reported that the ‘Ndrangheta were responsible for the disappearance of 42-year-old Maria Chindamo in 2016.
The site reported that Maria had been murdered and “fed to pigs” after refusing to give up her land.
The site reported that Maria had been murdered and “fed to pigs” after refusing to give up her land.
One of the most high-profile (& distressing) cases of violence against women by the ‘Ndrangheta involves Maria Concetta Cacciola. Engaged at 12, married at 13 & pregnant 2yrs later, Maria tried to escape her husband, but died by suicide in 2011 after her family held her captive.
Also worth mentioning that many women within the ‘Ndrangheta are complicit in the crimes that do take place - one statistic that I’ve seen widely reported this year, is that women are involved in 5% of extortion cases in Calabria.
(More on that here: https://www.ilreggino.it/cronaca/2020/09/17/ndrangheta-anche-le-donne-chiedono-il-pizzo-ai-commercianti-reggini/)
(More on that here: https://www.ilreggino.it/cronaca/2020/09/17/ndrangheta-anche-le-donne-chiedono-il-pizzo-ai-commercianti-reggini/)
What’s interesting now, is that increasing numbers of ‘Ndrangheta women are becoming police informants and witnesses - providing crucial testimony which led to the arrest of many of the 350 mafia members on trial today.
Anyway, this is just a very brief attempt at adding a little context to the trial, which is likely to dominate headlines in Italy in coming months / years (you know, along with COVID and Conte and everything else).
