Trips from Africa to Europe: 25 arrests in Sicily, Lazio, and Northern Italy

Last Updated: August 9, 2023

Viaggi dall'Africa all'Europa: 25 arresti tra la Sicilia, il Lazio e il Nord Italia

#Catania
The State Police carried out a custody order in Sicily, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Lazio against 25 non-EU nationals (from Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Mali) believed to be members of a criminal organization that arranged, in exchange for money, the journey of migrants from their home countries to European Union countries, especially France. The alleged crime is aiding illegal immigration.

The agents executed a custody order issued by the Judge of Preliminary Investigations in Catania. The Mobile Squad in Catania collaborated with colleagues in Genoa, La Spezia, Milan, Pavia, Turin, and Viterbo. Eight people were taken into custody, while eleven were served the order while already in prison. Six individuals managed to escape arrest and are now being sought.

The investigation led to the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Prosecutor’s Office in Catania, which was executed on April 19 in different parts of Italy. After validations in various Italian cities, the Judge of Preliminary Investigations in Catania raised a jurisdictional conflict before the Court of Cassation, which determined the competence of the Judge’s Office in Catania. This office has now issued the custody orders in prison.

The investigation originated from the case of an unaccompanied foreign minor who arrived on January 25, 2021, at the port of Augusta (Siracusa) and managed to reach France following the instructions of a woman who had presented herself as the sister of a man in Italy who facilitated the completion of the long journey from the country of origin to France via Italy.

According to the findings, female migrants, in some cases, in addition to monetary payment, also provided sexual services, even when traveling with minor children.