Police operation reveals a municipal corruption network that facilitated the illegal stay of non-EU citizens.
An investigation conducted by the Flying Squad of the Police Headquarters Ragusa brought to light a sophisticated system of false residences used to facilitate the stay of migrants, mainly Tunisians, through the complicity of municipal operators.
Six people were issued with a precautionary measure for aiding and abetting illegal entry and stay on the national territory.
The operation, resulting from meticulous investigations and inter-force collaboration, highlighted how 13 homes in the city were being used. The migrants, upon payment of “large sums of money”, were temporarily housed in these homes to obtain registered residence, essential for submitting applications for the issue or renewal of the residence permit or for family reunification.
Two of the suspects, who managed an assistance center for foreigners, had close contacts with two municipal operators, who are now suspended from the service.
The latter, in exchange for money, carried out superficial registry checks, without the necessary checks, and subsequently communicated to the registry office that they had passed the assessment, thus facilitating obtaining residence.
Among the suspects, three were placed under house arrest and one woman was forced to remain in the Municipality of Ragusa. The Prosecutor’s Office highlights a well-organised system: one of those arrested would have had a central role, maintaining contact with municipal officials and directing foreigners towards predestined homes.
This case raises significant concerns about corruption within public offices and the effectiveness of controls over immigration procedures.
The authorities continue to investigate to determine the extent of the network and to implement measures to prevent similar abuses in the future, thus ensuring the integrity of municipal services and the legality of immigration processes.
