ITALIANS IN LONDON REACT TO THE ARREST OF MESSINA-DENARO

ITALY'S MOST WANTED MAFIA BOSS ARRESTED

Italy's most wanted mafia boss, Matteo Messina Denaro was arrested in the morning of the 16th January in Palermo, Denaro who has been on the run for 30 years is responsible of 7 massacres and over 20 murders, he was the successor of Toto Riina and Bernardo Provenzano and the last prominent boss of Cosa Nostra.

The Italian community is one of the most widespread in the British capital, the news of the arrest made an important impact on various members of it  and was particularly relevant to Sicilians, that lived in first person the horrors of Denaro's reign of terror.

"As a Sicilian I have to say that many people suffered because of him and his accomplices, he is one of the people that contributed on staining the name of Sicily and Sicilians in the world, Sicily is more than mafia and criminality, he is finally where he deserves to be".said Antonio Greco, 23 year old bartender that moved to London from Sicily to pursue his studies 2 years ago.

Alessia Marino, 30 year old waitress criticised the timing of the arrest :"I'm happy that they arrested him but he lived freely until today, this man is 60, they caught him in his own city and not on the other side of the world" she then said "Italy's problem with corruption  persists, the fact that he got caught just today is a clear proof of it, it will take time before things will actually change".

The common feeling on the arrest between Italians is mostly positive but is also important to note that mafia is still a problem in many parts of the peninsula, many common citizen are still afraid of talking about the issue and even if not as strong as before Cosa Nostra remains active and counts various international branches (including the UK). 

 

 CARABINIERI PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUT/ANADOLU AGENCY/ GETTY