Savoca, Italy (Sicily).Photo: depositphotos.
A recent incident in Sicily caught the attention of the public and the authorities after a gruesome scene was discovered: a severed horse’s head and a cow were found on the grounds of a construction contractor in Altofonte near Palermo. A bloody dead calf made the scene even more brutal. The authorities consider this case to be a mafia threat, Time Ukraine Israel reports, citing CNN.
A barbaric act of intimidation
The incident is reminiscent of one of the most famous scenes from the 1972 film The Godfather, when the protagonist finds the severed head of a horse in his bed. This is not the first time that such tactics have been used in Sicily, where mafia groups use violence to intimidate businessmen and the public. However, the fact that it was a horse’s head that was found adds a special symbolism and cruelty to the event.
The contractor, on whose territory the dead animals were found, claims that he had not received any threats before the incident, although the construction and waste collection industries are known to be closely linked to mafia structures in the region. However, according to police, the case is being treated as a clear attempt at intimidation by the mafia.
Mafia and organised crime in Sicily
Sicily is known for its fight against organised crime, particularly the Cosa Nostra mafia. In recent years, the Mafia has gradually moved away from violence and focused more on criminal schemes in business and politics, but extortion and the demand for “protection” remain important aspects of the groups’ activities.
Brutal acts of intimidation such as the discovery of dead animals have become common in Sicily, with similar incidents reported as recently as 2023, with severed pig and goat heads used to send a clear message to local businesses.
The resurgence of the mafia and its new methods
Recent developments, including the release of 20 mafia members from prison, indicate that the mafia is trying to regain its position and regain influence over the local population. Mauricio de Lucia, the head of the Anti-Mafia Directorate, said that the situation was becoming increasingly difficult due to the release of these individuals and that the fight against the mafia required increased attention.
The mayor of Altofonte, Angela De Lucia, expressed her surprise and outrage at this barbaric act, saying that it was returning the city to the Middle Ages.
Residual effects
Although violence in Sicily has decreased somewhat, the Mafia maintains its influence through new methods. Over the past decades, organised criminals from the Cosa Nostra have been actively interfering in various industries, including construction and sanitation, allowing them to carry out further criminal operations, even without the use of traditional forms of violence.
The incident in Altofonte once again highlights the seriousness of this problem and the need for decisive action by the authorities to prevent the revival of mafia structures in Sicily.
