Bari - In the Apulian capital, the Carabinieri have struck a major blow against organized crime. On behalf of the local anti-mafia directorate (DDA), four people were arrested and accused of involvement in a planned assassination. The suspects are said to belong to a group belonging to the influential Palermiti clan, which operates primarily in the Carrassi district.
The incident that led to the arrest of the suspects took place on the evening of December 28, 2023. In the middle of the Christmas holidays, the busy Carrassi district was the scene of a violent confrontation. At around 8 p.m., when numerous people were out and about in the stores, the victim on his motorcycle came under fire at a central intersection. At least four projectiles were fired at the man from a firearm, while numerous passers-by involuntarily witnessed the life-threatening attack.
Power struggles within the Palermiti clan
Intensive investigations by the authorities revealed that the attack was no coincidence, but the result of internal power struggles. The victim is said to have tried to take control of the illegal business in the district on his own authority. In doing so, the man took advantage of the fact that a leading head of the Carrassi branch within the Palermiti clan was serving a lengthy prison sentence. The suspects now arrested reacted to this attempted change of power with an armed commando to defend their supremacy and violently suppress the ambitions of their rival.
Extensive investigations led to success
The police's success was based on a combination of technical surveillance, covert tailing and the testimony of key witnesses. Another decisive factor was the coincidental presence of a member of the Carabinieri, who had personally observed the events and was able to provide valuable information. Those arrested are now charged with attempted murder with premeditation and illegal possession of weapons under aggravating mafia conditions.
As this is currently still the preliminary investigation stage, the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction in an ordinary trial. The defense now has the opportunity to comment on the serious allegations during the following interrogations.
