On Tuesday, an Italian judge issued prison sentences for two to 10 years of fans of Milan and Inter Milan fans who were fanatical for crimes, including killing, extortion and criminal association with the Ndrangita mafia.
The rulings came in the aftermath of a quick trial that took place behind closed doors in a very guarded court attached to the San Vitori prison in Milan. The case resulted in the arrest of 19 people last September after an investigation conducted by the Milan Prosecutor and the National Public Prosecutor’s Office to combat the mafia.
The second trial, which includes 3 others from the Milan Ultras, will be sentenced on June 19.
The prosecution said that the Ultras groups acted, such as a “special militia” with criminal influence that exceeds the stadium, and that the mafia and extremist right -wing groups had penetrated the stadium.
About 200 Milan fans demonstrated outside the court in solidarity with their Ultras colleagues before the rulings were issued.
Judge Rossana Monjardo sentenced Andrea Beretta, the leader of the former Inter Fans, to 10 years in prison. He had confessed to killing Antonio Biluko last September, who was a prominent figure in the Ndrangita mafia and his colleague at Ultras Inter.
After his arrest, Beretta became a witness in favor of the state and cooperated with the investigators, which contributed to alleviating the ruling on him more than it might be applied in a murder case.
Luka Lucci, the historical leader of the Milan terrace, who is also under investigation into a case parallel to international drug trafficking, was sentenced to 10 years in addition to 4 years under observation for the formation of a criminal gang and attempted murder.
At the end of the trial, the defense lawyers rejected the accusations of the Public Prosecution, and described it as a “paper of paper.”
In rapid trials, judges look at the case behind closed doors without witnesses. The rulings issued against them are reduced by a third if they agree to this process.
The judge also ordered the payment of 50 thousand euros (58 thousand dollars), immediately enforcement for both Inter and Milan, in addition to an additional 20 thousand euros for the Italian first -class football league.
The prosecution said that the Ultras leaders along with the Ndrangita mafia managed to sell tickets and protect drinks and parking kiosks around the San Siro stadium, which is shared by the two clubs.
According to the investigators, the case that was discovered in Milan is not the only one in Italy in which crime leaders and extremist right -wing are exploited the activities of extremist football fans to raise funds.