Spartacus Trial

The Spartacus Maxi-Trial (Italian: Processo Spartacus) were a series of criminal trials that were specifically directed against the activities of the powerful Casalesi clan of the Camorra and its boss Francesco Schiavone aka "Sandokan". The trial was opened at the Corte d'Assise of Santa Maria Capua Vettere in Caserta. It was named after the historical gladiator, Spartacus, who led a rebellion of slaves beginning in Vesuvius against the ancient Roman Empire. It was aptly named as such, in recognition of the need to fight a revolution in the Casalesi clan's territory. The trial was initially chaired by its president, Catello Marano on July 1, 1998. It continued until June 19, 2008, when its final verdict was eventually read.it icon [http://www.cuntrastamu.org/mafia/contributi/naz04.htm Il maxiprocesso Spartacus e il silenzio della stampa] , Cuntrastamu, September 30, 2005] it icon [http://corrieredelmezzogiorno.corriere.it/campania/cronache/articoli/2008/06_Giugno/19/spartacus_sentenza_casale.shtml «Processo Spartacus», 16 ergastoli ai Casalesi] , Corriere del Mezzogiorno, June 20, 2008]

The 10-year legal trial, charged 36 members of the clan with a string of murders and other crimes. All were found guilty and 16 sentenced to life imprisonment including prominent Casalesi bosses, Francesco Schiavone and his chief lieutenant, Francesco Bidognetti. The other two bosses Antonio Iovine and Michele Zagaria were also given life sentences. However, they haven't served these sentences as they are fugitives and are still absconding. They are currently on the list of thirty most dangerous fugitives in Italy, with international warrants for their arrest.

More than 500 witnesses testified in the trial which saw the heaviest penalties ever for organised crime with a total of 700 years of imprisonment. Over the course of the initial trial and the appeal, five people involved in the case were murdered, including an interpreter. A judge and two journalists were threatened with death. [http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/godfathers-of-836425bn-mafia-family-get-life-after-epic-trial-1415909.html Godfathers of €25bn mafia family get life after epic trial] , The Independent, June 20, 2008]

References

External links

*it icon [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41bkbZ46tAA Spartacus Trial: 16 life sentences for Casalesi] , on youtube.com
*it icon [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqoX7TwKCUM Spartacus Trial - Appeal Ruling] , on youtube.com