Nun Arrested in Mafia Sting
A shocking twist unfolded in Italy as a nun was among 25 people arrested in connection with a prominent mafia operation. Authorities allege that the woman served as a crucial communication link between the criminal organization and its associates who were currently incarcerated. This interconnected criminal network is acknowledged to have expanses that reach all the way beyond Italy’s borders.
Political Connections Exposed
Among those apprehended were a former councillor with Brothers of Italy, the political party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni) and a former politician affiliated with the League, closely allied with the ruling government coalition. The arrests followed a series of dawn raids conducted across various towns in Lombardy and Veneto regions and stretching south to Calabria.
The suspects, including the nun, are facing an array of serious accusations, encompassing extortion, criminal possession of weapons and narcotics, receiving stolen goods, usury, tax crimes, money laundering. Evidence also points to vote-buying by the Citizens League politician, who, it is alleged – made himself available to the criminal organization “during the execution of crimes.” The Brothers of Italy politician, is believed to have provided support during criminal activity.
Chief Prosecutor Francesco Prete highlighted the gang’s skillful maneuvering. He stated they had “exploited the criminal fame of the original organization while adapting it to northern Italy, where they dealt with fiscal matters.”
Adapting to Evole
Deputy prosecutor, Teodoro Catananti, drew attention to the organization’s adaptability, stating “The ‘Ndrangheta are deploying their typical violence,” he said. But this time traditional criminal behaviour masks a mastermind who keep moving with the times.
Gas Pedal in an Evergreen Operation
The nun was identified in news reports as Anna Donelli, 57. She had been volunteering at Milan’s San Vittore prison since 2010 and also worked in prisons situated in Pavia and Rome. Donelli had recently been commended with the prestigious “Golden Panettone”, an annual award presented in Milan recognizing civic contributions.
Donelli is accused of “external complicity in a mafia association” and played a role in conveying information from prison to the criminal organization. Her position within the faith community provided her with access to prisoners, allowing continuous communication with the incarcerated members of the reported crime syndicate.
The Italian operation speaks to the persistence and malleability of organized crime groups and their ability to infiltrate areas where one might least expect.
The crackdown on the ‘Ndrangheta, which started with a series of raids across six different European nations in May earlier this year. This resulted in more than 130 arrests.
What are the implications of a nun acting as a communication link between the Mafia and its imprisoned members?
## Nun Arrested in Mafia Sting: An Interview
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re addressing a shocking story developing out of Italy: the arrest of a nun linked to the ‘Ndrangheta mafia. Joining us to discuss the implications of this case is Dr. Marco Bellini, a leading expert on organized crime in Italy. Dr. Bellini, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Bellini:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** This case, as detailed in the RTE article [[1](https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2024/1205/1484853-italy-mafia/) ], is certainly making headlines. We have a nun, Sister Anna Donelli, accused of being a crucial communication link between the mafia and its imprisoned members. How unusual is this?
**Dr. Bellini:** While we’ve seen instances of religious figures being entangled with organized crime in the past, it’s still quite shocking. The
‘Ndrangheta is known for its deeply rooted connections within communities, and they often exploit any avenue to maintain control and communication.
**Host:** And what about the broader scope of this operation? We’re talking about 25 arrests in total, including politicians from influential parties.
**Dr. Bellini:** This operation underscores the reach of the ‘Ndrangheta, which has infiltrated various aspects of Italian society. The arrests of politicians from both the Brothers of Italy and the League, parties in the ruling coalition, are particularly worrisome.
They highlight the insidious nature of organized crime and its potential to corrupt even the highest levels of government.
**Host:** This story seems to go beyond Italy’s borders, correct?
**Dr. Bellini:** Absolutely. The ’Ndrangheta is a truly transnational organization involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and other illicit activities worldwide. This operation highlights the need for international cooperation to dismantle their networks.
**Host:** Dr. Bellini, thank you for your insights on this developing story. This is certainly a situation worth watching closely.
**Dr. Bellini:** My pleasure.
