Italian prosecutors to be protected by soldiers by Zuzana Zelenakova

Each country has its own particular characteristic features. In case of Italy, the first thing you imagine after hearing the name is most probably pizza, and the second is Mafia. Mafia is deeply rooted in the Italian state and its origins date back as early as the mid 19th century. By the end oItalian prosecutors to be protected by soldiersf the 90s the influence of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, which made the Italian Mafia famous also abroad, had weakened and the power was yielded to ´Ndrangheta. In early 2000s, the organization centered in Calabria became the most powerful crime syndicate in Italy. Now it seems Italy has plunged into another wave of fights with Mafia. S! oldiers are being sent to the southern city of Reggio Calabria to protect prosecutors threatened by the ´Ndrangheta mobsters. As the authorities reported, the prosecutors pushed the organization out of its ´comfort zone´, we might say, with thousands of arrests and turncoats. The protection reinforcement provided by the army comes after a series of incidents aimed at the public officials. Prosecutors received death threats, or envelopes containing bullets. Homemade bomb exploded at the entrance to the courthouse in January, and another explosion occured outside prosecutor´s house in August. You can't afford to underestimate threats like this," says Giuseppe Pignatone, the city´s chief prosecutor. "But we will continue [our work]." Since Pignatone stepped into the Office in 2008, about 300 suspected members of the ´Ndrangheta organization has been arrested, reportedly, including one of its top leaders. But how will things further progress? That! is the question troubling most of the Italian citizens. Will ! there be an open war between the state and the crime syndicate? "The 'Ndrangheta has never before challenged the state," says Antonio Nicaso, co-author of The Bad Weed, a book about the Calabrian criminal organization. "It tries to infiltrate, but not to confront. The strategy of the 'Ndrangheta has been to keep a low profile and make money."

related story (sgx18416): http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599202542300;_ylt=ApfAZV7LVQx...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.