A court in Italy has delivered its verdict in one of the country's largest-ever mafia trials, which targeted the 'Ndrangheta crime group in its heartland in the southern region of Calabria. The trial, lasting almost three years, concluded with more than 230 defendants being convicted on a range of charges, including extortion, drug trafficking, and theft.

Among the 330 suspected mobsters and their alleged associates who stood trial, several prominent figures received significant penalties. Saverio Razionale and Domenico Bonavota, both local Calabrian mafia leaders, were each handed 30-year sentences, constituting the heaviest penalties of the trial. Nicola Gratteri, a well-known magistrate and former lead prosecutor in the case, hailed the ruling, stating that it signified the liberation of an entire province of Calabria from the top brass of the criminal group.

Notably, Giancarlo Pittelli, a lawyer and former politician from the Forza Italia party, was also convicted in the trial. Pittelli received an 11-year prison sentence for mafia collusion and passing on information. The court's confirmation of the connection between the 'Ndrangheta and a network of professionals was a crucial aspect of the verdict, according to Gratteri.

Giorgio Naselli, a former local police chief, was sentenced to two years and six months. However, the prosecution fell short in securing the heavy sentences they sought in some cases, resulting in around 100 individuals being cleared of charges. This first-instance ruling can be appealed by both the defense and the prosecution.

The 'Ndrangheta, deemed Italy's most powerful mafia group, surpasses even the infamous Cosa Nostra gang in Sicily. Its influence spreads across Europe and beyond. The trial, held in a converted call center in Lamezia Terme, Calabria, showcased metal cages for the defendants as they faced justice.

This milestone trial, reminiscent of the 1986 Palermo case against Cosa Nostra, represents a turning point in the fight against the 'Ndrangheta. The current trial primarily targeted the Mancuso clan from the province of Vibo Valentia, leaving much of the 'Ndrangheta's top leadership untouched. The court's verdict, according to Anna Sergi, a professor of criminology at the University of Essex, confirms the prosecutors' understanding of the 'Ndrangheta structure in Vibo Valentia.

While this decision is a significant step, it can be appealed twice before becoming final under Italian law. In November 2021, a further 70 defendants from the original trial had already been found guilty after opting for a fast-track procedure, which resulted in reduced sentences.