Mafioso given six-year prison sentence in Switzerland

The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona has sentenced a 59-year-old man, accused of acting as the logistical and financial hub of the ‘Ndrangheta in Switzerland, to six years and three months’ imprisonment. He will also be deported from the country for ten years.

There is no doubt that the man is a member of the criminal organisation, the presiding judge stated when delivering the verdict. His behaviour is said to be in line with the ‘ideals’ of the Calabrian Mafia.

In handing down the sentence, the court followed the recommendation by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG), which had sought a prison term of six years and three months. According to the indictment, the man transported money to Italy, acted as an intermediary in drug trafficking and supported the illegal trade in arms and ammunition.

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The prosecution further alleged that the man operated within Switzerland as an affiliate and as a key figure in advancing the interests of the Anello-Fruci clan (the Fino Mornasco branch, coordinated with the Giffone branch), the existence and structure of which have been confirmed by final and binding convictions in Italy. From at least the beginning of 2001 until July 2020, the defendant knowingly participated in its criminal activities.

According to the OAG, the man attended a meeting of the ‘Ndrangheta and misled the Swiss administrative authorities with the aim of enabling a member to establish himself on Swiss territory to facilitate the clan’s criminal activities within Switzerland. He acted in the knowledge that he was contributing to the existence, consolidation and strengthening of the criminal organisation.

The man also initiated negotiations to thwart the tracing of the origin, the recovery or the confiscation of assets, knowing that they were the proceeds of crime. The defendant is accused of having employed mafia-style methods, engaging in conduct characterised by intimidation and psychological coercion, while exploiting the intimidating power of a criminal organisation capable of the most heinous crimes, particularly in the collection of debts and ‘bribes’, according to the OAG.

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Translated from Italian, reviewed by an English Department journalist.