In the same region where the G7 leaders will convene, reports of Mafia-style brutality are increasing.
The Italian Interior Ministry's semi-annual report released in January 2024 indicated potential issues arising among the criminal groups in the Puglia region. The continued presence of criminal activities reflected the interplay of rival factions and internal clashes within the various clans.
Derived from the Sacra Corona criminal syndicate, these groups were centered around Foggia and primarily consisted of crime families arranged in clans. Unlike the more internationally known criminal syndicates like the Cosa Nostra in Sicily, the Camorra in Naples, and the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria, these Puglia-based groups were mostly limited to activities within Italy and the Balkan regions.
The visibly increasing incidences of turf wars between these clans were manifested in daylight shootings and, to a concerning degree, car-jackings. There had been a spate of high-profile murders among these criminal organizations reported by local news outlets, as well as several acts of maiming such as targeted knee-cappings.
This situation became even more complicated with a mysterious find in March: an abandoned briefcase at a train station in Bari containing bottles of liquid and a cellphone. Since then, the region has been plagued by frequent bomb threats. Furthermore, there had been various high-profile raids by armed gangs on villas close to the G7 summit venue, along with clear instances of inter-clan violence.
The Interior Ministry proposed sending in military forces to restore order in the vicinity of the summit. As a result of the concerning findings, several local councils were dissolved by the regional governor for suspected mafia infiltration and use of extortion to maintain control of the region.
Italian mafia syndicates are infamously known for sneaking their way into legitimate projects, and many were found to have infiltrated construction work related to the summit. The infrastructure projects, including roadworks, helicopter landing pads, and even the media center, were all under scrutiny by DIGOS (DIvisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali), Italy's top anti-terrorism and anti-mafia unit. A comprehensive report was promised after the event concluded, a spokesperson for DIGOS informed CNN.
As the G7 summit drew near, local authorities were faced with a challenging task of ensuring the safety of the world's leaders alongside maintaining civil law and order. The prefect for Brindisi, Luigi Carnevale, discussed the complex nature of the situation during a televised news briefing.
Puglia, a region located at the tip of Italy's boot, is known for its rich olive groves, traditional white conical houses, and pristine beaches. The G7 summit would be held at Borgo Egnazia, a luxurious resort comprising 30 private villas, each with its own pool and amenities such as a Michelin-starred restaurant catering to the affluent.
The resort has a long-standing reputation for providing privacy to its celebrity guests like David and Victoria Beckham, Madonna, and Ivanka Trump, thanks to the assurances of discretion provided by the managing director, Aldo Melpignano, who shared his enthusiasm for hosting the event with CNN.
The vast security apparatus that would safeguard the world's leaders from the G7 nations - the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan - was already in place, with DIGOS being at the helm. Proactive measures were initiated more than a year ago to minimize the threat of potential "Islamic sleeper cells" through the monitoring of arrivals via airports and seaports.
A 10-kilometer "red zone" was established around Borgo Egnazia, with an even larger 30-kilometer "yellow zone" strictly patrolled to guarantee the security of around 130 working groups and 21 ministerial meetings. Ordinary citizens as well as high-profile guests like Pope Francis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud were expected to attend the summit. Over 5,000 specially trained soldiers were deployed to the area, and several large cruise ships were moored to offer additional protection to the delegations. Furthermore, a US aircraft carrier was anticipated to arrive by the weekend and dock near the Puglian coast.
The Schengen open border policy, which enables individuals to enter Italy from other Schengen countries, was temporarily suspended between June 5th and 18th. This was done so border control agents could check passports and ensure security measures were in place. Concerns for the G7 summit include not just local gangs, but also protesters who have attended previous gatherings, calling for mass gatherings to take place near the venue. At the 2001 summit hosted in Italy, a protester lost their life due to violent altercations with police.
Military police collaborating with the anti-mafia enforcement agency are vigilant and monitoring the actions of criminal groups. In conjunction with these efforts, around 60 individuals were arrested last month as part of a drug-related investigation. Several supposed crime leaders were apprehended, limiting their influence albeit temporarily.
"These events will surely not threaten the well-being of those attending the summit," commented Pisani, the police chief from Puglia. "These prominent individuals will be heavily safeguarded and inaccessible during the three-day conference."
However, Pisani emphasized the need to provide similar security for the estimated 10,000 people headed to Bari and Brindisi throughout that week, including delegates, journalists, and observers. With no bodyguards or security details to protect them, these individuals require equal attention.
"We also have to maintain order in other areas of the province, as crime could spill into these regions amidst the heightened focus on Bari," Pisani added. "Safeguarding our province from the glare of the world will not be simple; after all, the eyes of our entire nation are on Puglia."
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Despite the increased Mafia-style brutality in the Puglia region, European leaders chose to proceed with their scheduled G7 summit in the area.Despite the increase in Mafia-related activities in Puglia, European governments remained committed to attending the G7 summit in the region.
