Mafia, Messina Denaro: Palermo prosecutor escalates charges against Andrea Bonafede
The Palermo Prosecutor's Office has intensified the charges against Andrea Bonafede, a municipal worker in Campobello di Mazara. He was arrested on suspicion of being one of the trusted accomplices of the Castelvetrano boss, captured on January 16th after 30 years on the run.
For the prosecution, he is not merely an accomplice, but a "man of honor" within the criminal organization.
On the day when the sentence was expected before the Judge of the Palermo Court, Rosario Di Gioia, the Prosecutor's Office significantly amended the indictment. In addition to aggravated favoring and the willful violation of penalties, the charge of mafia association has been added, which, if convicted, would result in a much harsher penalty.
The trial has been adjourned for concluding arguments until September 12th.
The Prosecutor's Office has submitted new evidence indicating Bonafede's role, which allegedly extended beyond collecting prescriptions from the doctor Alfonso Tumbarello. He is now portrayed as a point of reference in other activities of the former fugitive.
Bonafede had claimed not to know Matteo Messina Denaro. And the video capturing them in close proximity? Pure coincidence, he stated during the interrogation. They hadn't spoken, nor exchanged a distant greeting. He had simply picked up the prescriptions from Dr. Tumbarello, believing they were for his cousin with the same name.
