Two paedophiles murdered in Italy

7-28-1999 Italy:
Two convicted paedophiles have been shot dead near their homes in Naples, shortly after being released from prison pending an appeal.

The first murder took place on Monday, when Ciro Falanga - sentenced to 13 years in jail for his part in running a paedophile ring - was shot dead by gunmen outside his shop. The following day, Pasquale Sansone was shot by two masked gunmen in his motorcycle repair workshop. He had been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The two dead men were among 17 people, including five women, who were found guilty by a Naples court earlier this year of organising the systematic sexual abuse of children from an elementary school in a Naples suburb.

Many of the children are still suffering severe psychological problems.

Parents of the children involved were angry that those held responsible were being released from jail on a legal technicality. The prosecution failed to prove its case that the accused had drugged their victims.

Mafia link

Prosecutors say they fear other acts of revenge, as most of those released from jail are back living in the same streets as their former victims. Police believe that the killings may have been ordered by the local Mafia as a way of currying favour.

In some areas of southern Italy, summary justice is regularly dispensed by organised crime bosses. The lengthy procedures and delays of Italy's criminal law system are legendary.

In criminal cases involving children, people who take the law into their own hands often receive popular support.

A local Roman Catholic priest said that everyone knew that the convicted leaders of the paedophile gang would be killed, and blamed the Italian legal system.

"The state put guns into the killers' hands," Fr Francesco Gallo, a priest in the Naples suburb of Poverelli told reporters.

"This isn't over yet. People don't understand how people who have been convicted of such serious crimes can be free to walk around their neighbourhood. They feel exposed to all sorts of risks," Fr Gallo said. ..more.. by David Willey