In a scene that seems taken directly from the classic film “The Godfather”, a construction businessman in Altofontenearly PalermoSicily, woke up to find a macabre warning: the severed head of a horse on the seat of his excavator, accompanied by the remains of a cow and her calf in the backyard.
This act of intimidation, which was reported on November 20, recalls the infamous message from the Corleone family in the film Francis Ford Coppola. The discovery shocked both the local community and the Italian authorities.
The scene not only reproduces the symbolic brutality of cinema, but also revives the specter of mafia practices in Sicily, where handing out animal parts as a warning was a long-standing practice.
According to the Italian media Rai Newsthe businessman, who denied having received previous threats, reported the incident to the police of Monrealewhich is currently investigating the case under the hypothesis of an act of retaliation linked to the mafia.
The similarity with the famous 1972 film is not coincidental: the message seeks inspire terror and make control clear and the impunity of its authors, just as in the fictional story.
The Anti-Mafia Directorate of the Palermo districtled by the prosecutor Maurizio de Luciaquickly took the case under its jurisdiction, reported the Italian media Corriere della Sera.
According to the first indications, investigators believe that the macabre act could be linked to a tactic typical retaliation of the Sicilian mafia, known for employing calculated and deeply symbolic methods of intimidation.
Although the businessman declared that he had not received extortion requests nor prior warnings, the authorities do not rule out that the attack is related to their refusal to accept possible demands for economic protection.
The incident occurred at nightwhen the perpetrators entered the land where the businessman’s property is located, currently uninhabited. There they carried out the sacrifice of the animals and would have deliberately arranged the remains to ensure that the message was clear enough.
The investigations focus on identifying those responsible and determine the exact circumstances that motivated the attack. Meanwhile, law enforcement forces are working to reinforce security and prevent these acts from being perpetuated.
The discovery caused a stir in the community. Altofontethe small town in Italy. The mayor Angela De Luca He expressed his dismay at what happened, calling it a barbaric act that seemed to “take us back to the Middle Ages.”
“I was petrified, I can’t explain so much barbarity. I would like to express to the victim, who represents one of the Municipality’s trusted companies, my total solidarity, that of the City Council, of the entire municipal administration and also of the Municipality. City Council, starting with its president Luciano Corsale. Solidarity also from all the companies in the area,” he declared, as reported by the area’s media, Palermo Today.
“I trust the police who are working and will continue to work. Understand what happened and identify the perpetrators of this terrible gesture, carried out by people who were able to get here,” the mayor concluded.
Condemnation also came from other sectors. Giuseppe Pucciopresident of Ance Palermothe local builders association, expressed concern about the resurgence of these mafia tactics.
“We thought that we had left this type of intimidation behind and, on the other hand, we have to confirm that this is not the case. We express all our solidarity and closeness to the businessman and his family,” he stated according to the same Palermo newspaper.
Union leaders and regional politicians, such as the councilor for productive activities Edy Tamajoalso pointed out that these types of acts highlight the persistence of a mafia mentality that must be eradicated.
“Violence must be addressed not only with police action, but also with a strong commitment to spread culture of legality in schools, so that future generations can grow up free of this mentality,” he said as reported. Palermo Today.
The outrage generated by the attack is exacerbated by a broader context: In recent months, more than 20 mafia leaders were released after serving his sentences in Sicily, according to the British media The Guardian. This reopened the debate on the mafia’s ability to maintain its influence and on the effectiveness of strategies to combat these criminal organizations.
