As part of a large-scale operation, Italian special forces carried out around 20 house searches in various regions today. The operation, coordinated by the anti-Mafia public prosecutor's office in Rome, was aimed at people suspected of supporting Attilio Cubeddu, who has been on the run since 1997.
The Raggruppamento Operativo Speciale (ROS) of the Carabinieri, the provincial commandos of Nuoro and Livorno, the Cagliari Scientific Investigation Group, the "Cacciatori Sardegna" helicopter squadron and the XI Unit were involved in the operation. The searches, which mainly took place in the Sardinian region of Ogliastra, served to secure crucial evidence for Cubeddu's arrest.
Cubeddu escaped from Badu 'e Carros prison in Nuoro in 1997. He was imprisoned for kidnapping and other crimes. In the early 1980s, he was involved in several kidnappings for the purpose of extortion, including those of Cristina Peruzzi and Patrizia Bauer. He was later also convicted of kidnapping the Brescian businessman Giuseppe Soffiantini.
Cubeddu is on the Italian Ministry of the Interior's list of the most dangerous fugitives. The nationwide manhunt for him is being carried out by the ROS of the Carabinieri.
The searches focused on family members and people close to Cubeddu. The aim was to find information and traces that could lead to the capture of the long-term fugitive. In addition, investigations are underway to secure biological traces of Cubeddu in order to create his complete genetic profile. The authorities are doing everything they can to finally close the Attilio Cubeddu case, which has been ongoing for over 27 years.
