A nun was among 25 people arrested in Italy on suspicion of being part of a criminal group linked to the country's most powerful mafia organization, the 'Ndrangeta.
According to the Italian press, citing the anti-mafia unit of the prosecutor's office in Brescia, northern Italy, the nun was allegedly used as a link between the gang and their associates in prisons.
As part of morning raids across several cities in the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Calabria in the south of the country, the police seized more than 1,8 million euros of illegally obtained money, reports the Guardian. Among those arrested are a former member of the Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Đorđa Meloni, as well as a former politician of the League, a coalition partner in the government.
The suspects are charged with a range of crimes, including extortion, arms and drug trafficking, receiving stolen goods, money laundering, tax fraud, money laundering and, in the case of League politicians, vote buying. The politician from the Brothers of Italy allegedly made himself available to the mafia group "during the commission of the crime".
According to a Rai Njuz report, the nun has been volunteering in San Vitore prison in Milan since 2010, and has also worked in prisons in Pavia and Rome.
Investigators said her "spiritual role" enabled her to bond with detainees and give her "free access to prison facilities."
The Ndrangheta, which originates from Calabria, is one of the richest criminal organizations in the world. Thanks to the huge income from the cocaine trade, it spread its influence throughout Italy, Europe and beyond. Earlier this year, more than 130 people were arrested in coordinated operations in half a dozen European countries as part of a crackdown on the organization.
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