ROME: Italian police have arrested 68 people, including a priest and the head of a volunteer group called “Mercy,” and accused them of being in cahoots with a major mafia clan that allegedly skimmed millions in public funds destined for a migrant welcome center.
Announcing the arrests Monday, an incredulous Carabinieri Gen. Giuseppe Governale summarized the scam by saying: “The welcome center and ‘Mercy’ were the ATMs of the mafia.”
Investigators said the Arena clan of the Calabrian ‘ndrangheta mafia had secured a lock on servicing the Isola di Capo Rizzuto migrant center in Crotone thanks to its links to “Mercy” and its head, Leonardo Sacco.
They said “Mercy” subcontracted catering services to companies run by the clan, which allegedly skimmed some 36 million euros ($39.5 million) in public funds.
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Italy police: Mafia clan skimmed millions from migrant funds
Italy police: Mafia clan skimmed millions from migrant funds
Somalia’s Al-Shabab vows to fight any Israeli use of Somaliland
MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabab vowed Saturday to fight any attempt by Israel “to claim or use parts of Somaliland” following its recognition of the breakaway territory.
“We will not accept it, and we will fight against it,” Al-Shabab said in a statement.
It said Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state showed it “has decided to expand into parts of the Somali territories” to support “the apostate administration in the northwest regions.”
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