https://www.corrieredellacalabria.i...dio-catalano-arrestato-un-35enne-rumeno/the investigation
'Ndrangheta, Catalano murder: 35-year-old Romanian arrested
The man had left shortly after the crime and was tracked down in the United Kingdom and then extradited
Published: 12/09/2024 – 10:52
REGGIO CALABRIA The agents of the Reggio Calabria Flying Squad, in collaboration with the operators of the Service for International Police Cooperation of the Central Directorate of Criminal Police and the Border Police of Rome "Fiumicino" airport, have arrested a 35-year-old Romanian, reached by a precautionary custody order issued by the investigating judge of the Court of Reggio Calabria, in relation to the murder of Francesco Catalano, which occurred in February 2019. The suspect, at the stage of the proceedings still in the preliminary investigation phase and without prejudice to the principle of not guilty until a final sentence, is called to answer for murder in competition, with the aggravating circumstance of premeditation and mafia method, and for illegal possession and carrying of a firearm.
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The Catalano Murder and the “Gallicò” Blitz
Those responsible for the killing had left Catalano no escape: the man, in fact, had been hit by at least seven gunshots, fired at close range , while he was near his home, in the Reggio Calabria neighborhood of Arghillà. The investigations, launched by the Flying Squad and coordinated by the Reggio District Anti-Mafia Directorate, immediately allowed the serious crime to be placed in the broader context of organized crime in the city. And in fact, the precautionary measure carried out last September 9th is part of Operation “Gallicò” , conducted last February by the Flying Squad, SISCO and the Carabinieri of Reggio Calabria, which involved 18 individuals , investigated in various capacities for the crimes of mafia association, murder, extortion, usury, possession of weapons and fraudulent transfer of assets.
The 35-year-old had left Reggio Calabria a few months after the crime and was tracked down and arrested, for extradition purposes, on February 22 in the United Kingdom, following specific activity carried out by the Flying Squad and, for international profiles, by the International Police Cooperation Service, with the constant coordination of the Reggio Calabria DDA. Once back in Italy, the man was taken to prison at the disposal of the Judicial Authority. ( redazione@corrierecal.it )
