In the solemn setting of the Interregional Carabinieri Command “Ogaden” of Naples, a touching ceremony took place to honor the memory of Anatolij Korol, a courageous man, victim of a tragic act of violence. It was 29 August 2015 and, in Castello di Cisterna around 7.30 pm, two criminals, both with their faces completely covered with black helmets and masks, arrived at a supermarket in via Selva aboard a scooter. While the driver was waiting outside the shopping centre, the passenger immediately made a foray into the market heading towards the checkouts. At that moment, Anatoly Korol, a 38-year-old bricklayer of Ukrainian nationality who was outside the shop where he had just finished working while shopping in the company of her 18-month-old daughter, having perceived the intentions of the two criminals, she left the trolley with the child and attempted to block the driver of the scooter. He grabbed him by the strap of a bag that he was carrying over his shoulder but the latter managed to free himself, abandoning the bag and also breaking into the supermarket. Anatoly then followed the two criminals inside the shop and after an energetic, prolonged struggle with the robber armed with a gun, managed to pin him to the ground. During the scuffle between the two, the other criminal noticed his accomplice’s inability to free himself from Anatoly’s grip and intervened. First hitting the 38-year-old with violent punches, then attacking him on the head with a pen used like a dagger and, finally, appropriating the weapon held by the other robber, exploding two shots at him which hit the unfortunate man in the hemithorax and left thigh and caused his death. Anatolij KOROL thus left his wife Nadiya and his daughters Anastasiya (14 years old at the time) and Lisa (only 18 months old). The pressing investigation activity conducted by the Operational and Radiomobile Unit of the Castello di Cisterna, together with the Investigative Unit of Castello di Cisterna and with the support of the Investigative Unit of the provincial command of Naples, therefore allowed the two robbers to be arrested – on 5 September 2015 – for murder, aggravated robbery and illegal possession of weapons. who were hiding in Scalea, in the province of Cosenza. During the operations, two other people who had provided refuge to the two suspects were also reported. The completion of the investigative activity of the provincial command of Naples then made it possible to identify and arrest in execution of a precautionary custody order in prison, in October 2015 , the other two accomplices in the robbery, held responsible for having carried out the inspection preparatory to the criminal action and aimed at acquiring information relating to the consistency of the proceeds and for having provided the weapon and the motorcycle used in the crime. Following the first degree, the first three were sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, while the fourth was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months’ imprisonment. On 2 October 2015, at the Quirinale, the President of the Republic, on the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, presented the Gold Medal for Civil Valor in memory to the family members of Anatolij Korol. During the ceremony, the Interregional Carabinieri Commander “Ogaden” Army Corps General Antonio De Vita, the Provincial Carabinieri Commander of Naples General of Brigade Enrico Scandone, the President of the Construction Fund of the Province of Naples Dr. Engineer Rodolfo Girardi and the vice President Dr. Valerio Medici, gave Anatolij’s wife and two daughters a donation, a tangible symbol of solidarity and support from the community and of the institutions towards his family. This gesture is intended as a sign of recognition and gratitude for the sacrifice of a man who gave his life to defend the values of justice and solidarity. The delivery of the donation was a moment of great significance and unity in sharing pain and in affirming the values of solidarity and justice. A donation that seals a relationship of sharing and closeness between the Carabinieri, the Building Construction Association of Naples and Anatolij’s family. The honor and the posthumous recognition given by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella with the awarding of the Gold Medal for Civil Valor in memory of Anatolij Korol seals his extraordinary dedication to the common good and his example of altruism and courage which will continue to inspire future generations Anatoly’s wife, Nadiya, wanted to release this statement: “The memory of my dear husband is kept alive thanks to the profound love that united us, and finds continuity in our daughters. His act of great courage is still remembered today with gratitude by the Carabinieri, who transform it into tangible support thanks to their assistance and protection. The support that my family receives from the Carabinieri and the Cassa Edile di Napoli is of inestimable value for me. I would like to express my profound thanks to the leaders of these institutions, including General Antonio De Vita, President Rodolfo Girardi, Vice President Dr. Valerio Medici and General Enrico Scandone”.
