The first hearing relating to the trial for usury and extortion was held this morning in Bari, in front of the Criminal Court. Six are accused in various capacities by the Bari DDA of attempted and consummated extortion and usury, with the aggravating circumstance of having acted with a mafia method. Currently 5 are being held in prison and one is under house arrest.
Today’s hearing saw the formation of the parties. The Municipality of Andria, as already anticipated and decided by the Municipal Council on March 26th, became a civil party in the trial. Present in the courtroom was the defender of the municipal body, lawyer Giuseppe de Candia, together with the mayor, lawyer. Giovanna Bruno.
The Municipality will procedurally request compensation for the damages suffered by the community for the contested crimes: the act has a meta-procedural value, as reiterated several times by the mayor, as it aims to take a clear position against the criminal and mafia organizations in the area, which undermine the serenity of the city and damage the entire socio-economic fabric, causing a sense of fear and confusion in the community which must be counteracted. In addition to the Municipality of Andria and the parties offended by the crime, the Ministry of the Interior and the Bar Association of Trani also joined as civil parties.
Next hearings in July and September before the Courts of Trani and Bari.
