The contrast cannot be clearer. On the one hand, what has been defined as the Riace model, a model of welcome and integration. On the other, a very heavy sentence of more than 13 years in prison. Two examples, opposite. Mimmo Lucano, former mayor of the Calabrian city of Riace, in 2016 was in 40th place in the ranking of the 50 most influential leaders in the world of the American magazine Fortune he has now been sentenced to 13 years and two months in prison.
HISTORY
The story of Lucano in Riace begins in 1998 with the landing of two hundred Kurdish refugees. First activist, then mayor, he then opened the doors of the houses emptied by emigration to accommodate the new arrivals. Hassan, arrived in Riace, said: “This is a country of houses without people, we are people without houses.” From there the economy started again: schools, laboratories, bars, activities, the hospitality village in the center of the town. A special currency was also born to help immigrants with their daily expenses while awaiting the arrival of European funds. In 17 years it is estimated that at least 6 thousand asylum seekers have passed from more than 20 countries around the world. The Riace model is this and has become famous and praised especially on the left.
THE ARREST
On the morning of 2 October 2018, the Guardia di Finanza notified Lucano an order of custody under house arrest. The Prosecutor of Locri investigates precisely for alleged irregularities in the management of the Riace model. They were organized for the investigators marriages of convenience between citizens local and foreign women to illegally allow them to stay in Italy. They would also have been favored cooperative without tenders for tenders.
Although many do not believe the allegations, the country empties, migrants leave and the economy stops. At the municipal offices of May 2019 he is not re-elected as a city councilor. The accusations are criminal association aimed at aiding and abetting illegal immigration, fraud, embezzlement and abuse of office. Not a model, but illegality according to the accusation.
A few days after the arrest order, the Supreme Court canceled the ban on residence a Riace for Lucano saying that there was no fraudulent behavior because, in the case of contracts, the law allows direct assignment in favor of social cooperatives “aimed at the work placement of disadvantaged people”.
THE SENTENCE
The first instance sentence sentenced him to double the years required by the prosecution, 13 years and two months of imprisonment, and 500 thousand euros to be repaid. The lawyers who defend it for free define the lunar sentence. Giuliano Pisapia and Andrea Dacqua explain: “Lucano lives in poverty and has had no advantage from his action as mayor of Riace and, as it emerged during the trial, he has always been committed to his community and to the welcome and integration”. Many have compared this sentence with that of, for example, Luca Traini, convicted of massacre after having shot and wounded six migrants in Macerata, sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The court has increased the penalties requested by the prosecution. According to the Prosecutor Michele Permunian Lucano was in charge of Riace. “He was the absolute dominus, the real purpose of the hospitality projects in Riace was to create certain clientelist systems. Lucano did all this for a political-electoral advantage and it can be seen from several interceptions. It counted votes and people. And those who did not guarantee support were turned away ». The Locri court sentenced 17 other defendants in the Xenia trial with sentences ranging from 4 years upwards. Lucano was acquitted of some fraud charges and an alleged forgery relating to an identity card.
THE REACTIONS
“Many have written to me – politicians, trade unionists, ordinary people – but the most welcome message was that of my daughter. He wrote “Come on Dad”. I am worried about them, they fall into the media mincer, now they all live far from here, they will look for them again, they paid more than me. We have gone through difficult times, now we have found each other again ». Today at 4 pm a demonstration in Riace.
Lucano awaits the reasons for the sentence, but, interviewed by Corriere della Sera, he accuses: «A very important magistrate, a thoroughbred politician, have tried from the beginning to tarnish my image, my commitment to immigrants, the weakest. I was expecting a full acquittal. I have never been intimidated by anyone. For now they have won, but we are only in the first degree. There will be an appeal ».
Mimmo Lucano says that he would do it all again and many support it by talking about a sentence that wanted to be an example, but that will certainly be overturned in the next stages of judgment as happens to almost one out of two sentences in Italy in the criminal field. He is a candidate for regional scheduled for Sunday in Calabria and has no intention of retiring. «I know very well that the ban for five years and the Severino law will not allow me, if elected, to be a member of the Regional Council. But I want to know my destiny. To know if people still trust me ».
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