THE DIREZIONE INVESTIGATIVA ANTIMAFIA FOLLOWING AN ORDER OF THE DDA OF THIS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE, CARRIED OUT PRE-TRIAL HOUSE ARREST ORDERS AND HOME SEARCH ORDERS AGAINST HIGH-PROFILE MEMBER OF THE DISMANTLED ORGANIZATION “AVANGUARDIA NAZIONALE”, AND OTHER TWO PEOPLES.

Today morning, DIA staff, following an order of the DDA of this Public Prosecutor’s office, carried out:

1. An order issued during the preliminary investigation by the GIP at the Court in Caltanissetta which applied pre-trial house arrest orders against the lawyer Stefano Menicacci and Romeo Domenico. The first is charged with two offences according to the articles 371 bis c.p., with the aggravating circumstance pursuant to art. 384 ter c.p. (having committed the crime in the framework of a proceeding concerning a massacre offence), the second with only one offence in cooperation with Menicacci;
2. home search orders against Tilgher Adriano, high-profile member of the dismantled organization “Avanguardia Nazionale”, (sentenced in 1981 for reorganizing the fascist party), the lawyer Saverio Ingraffia and Scala Francesco (university professor); these orders were issued by this Public Prosecutor’s office for the offences pursuant to art. 416 c.p. (criminal conspiracy) and articles 1 and 2 of the Law 17/1982 (so-called Anselmi Law).

The two distinct events are only connected marginally and only from an evidentiary standpoint.

The need to carry out searches was linked particularly to results from telephone wiretappings, indicating evidence about a plan based on the fascist ideology (the speakers consider themselves as fascists) about establishing an “Observatory” on the activity of the judges. This entity should include also covert members with the aim to target unwelcome magistrates. According to the speakers the plan has already been adopted.

The plan envisages also the intention to receive the endorsement of very high-profile members of the executive power and other persons. In their conversation the associates affirm that they have already received this support. Of note, that no member of public institutions has been investigated for the reasons which will be explained during the press conference which will be held in short.

The above-mentioned results of the telephone wiretappings were assessed “incidenter tantum” by the GIP only due to the previous pre-trial detention order  and by this Public Prosecutor’s Office in relation to the search of evidence concerning the crimes mentioned in the search orders.

The events are very complex and sensitive, so that it seems highly appropriate to ensure the most complete and correct information (also taking into account the need to intervene now) during the press conference given by the Public Prosecutor on the 21^st July at 11:00 am at the DIA in Caltanissetta.

THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR