https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...riciclaggio-e-nella-gestione-del-denaro/honored women
Women in the 'ndrangheta, Frustaci: «involved in money laundering and management»
The deputy prosecutor of the Catanzaro DDA on “Specchio”. «They don’t receive the dowries, but three are at 41 bsi»
Published: 03/09/2024 – 7:43
LAMEZIA TERME A magistrate in the trenches in the fight against Calabrian organised crime, the deputy prosecutor of the Catanzaro DDA Annamaria Frustaci , together with her colleagues Antonio De Bernardo and Andrea Mancuso, supported the prosecution in the maxi Rinascita Scott trial against the Vibo Valentia 'ndrangheta clans . Author of the book "The girl who dreamed of defeating the mafia ", Frustaci, during a long interview in "Specchio", an insert of the daily newspaper "La Stampa", spoke about the role of women in the 'ndrangheta. «Women do not participate in the initiation rites, they do not receive positions and dowries, nor are there female names that appear in the copies. A second difference - which has been changing in recent years - the greater involvement of female figures in the laundering and reinvestment of illicit proceeds, or in the management of the assets and economic and entrepreneurial activities of the clan, rather than in decision-making conduct».
The role of women
We have dealt with women inside and against the 'ndrangheta (READ HERE) . «They don't stay at home waiting for their criminal partners or husbands, but they take on an important role in the organization», claims Stefano Nazzi interviewed by Corriere della Calabria during the preparation of an episode of “Calabria dell'altro Mondo”. A thesis also supported by Frustaci. « There are three Calabrian women subjected to 41 bis. They are Aurora Spanò (at the top of the Bellocco clan of San Ferdinando), Teresa Gallico (regent of the 'ndrina Gallico of Palmi) and Nella Serpa (regent of the homonymous consorteria clan of Paola). They have embodied the role of top of the reference clans, giving orders and directives and even, as in the case of Nella Serpa, planning murders to avenge relatives who fell in a feud». The “honoured” Calabrians are distinguished from the rascals linked to the Camorra. «In the Camorra (…) female figures of criminal importance since the early 1970s have historically played a crucial role in the domestic nucleus, as advisors and custodians of mafia values». Finally, Frustaci focuses on the relationship between honor. « The role of the mother of the justice witness Maria Concetta Cacciola comes to mind. The latter begins to make statements because she wants to change her life, thanks to the romantic relationship she had recently begun and which had opened her eyes. Nostalgia for her children who remained in Calabria, led the witness to call her mother, Anna Rosalba Lazzaro, who played a key role in abandoning the protected area». For the prosecutor, Cacciola's story recalls the case of Saman Abbas . A comparison that the prosecutor of Reggio Emilia Gaetano Paci had also suggested. « The structure of the Abbas family is similar to that of a Calabrian 'ndrina ». A story, which Paci had also mentioned, recalls a justice witness who was a victim of the 'ndrangheta : « Maria Concetta Cacciola, forced by her family in 2011 to swallow hydrochloric acid ». (redazione@corrierecal.it)
