In Italy, former mafia boss claims Berlusconi was threatened with new bombings
In Italy, former Cosa Nostra boss Giovanni Brusca said during a court hearing that the mafia considered placing responsibility for the series of bombings in 1992–1993 on the Italian left in order to facilitate media magnate Silvio Berlusconi's entry into politics. ANSA English reports.
Brusca's testimony
Brusca testified via video link from a secure location in a case concerning alleged defamation by Salvatore Baiardo, who is linked to the Graviano mafia family, against television host Massimo Giletti.
According to Brusca, in 1994 he discussed with imprisoned Cosa Nostra boss Leoluca Bagarella the use of bombings as a political tool. He claimed that the attacks were to be presented as allegedly proposed by left-wing forces in order to help Berlusconi and influence his entry into politics.
Claims of contacts and threats
Brusca also said that mafioso Vittorio Mangano allegedly made contact and informed Berlusconi through his associate Marcello Dell'Utri or through other channels. According to the former mafia boss's version, Mangano conveyed that Berlusconi expressed gratitude and said he would help the organization as soon as he could.
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According to Brusca, Cosa Nostra also conveyed a veiled threat to Berlusconi: if he did not help, the mafia could carry out new bombings to create political difficulties for him.
Cosa Nostra launched its bombing campaign in 1992 after Italy's Supreme Court definitively upheld the convictions of more than 300 mafiosi in the Maxi Trial against the Sicilian mafia. During this campaign, prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were among those killed.
ANSA notes that Italian courts had previously closed a number of cases that sought to establish a link between the late former prime minister Berlusconi and the mafia. In June, a Florence court discontinued an investigation into claims that the 1992–1993 bombings were connected to the creation of the Forza Italia party.
