Nicola Panaro
Encyclopedia
Nicola Panaro is an Italian Camorrista
and member in the Casalesi clan
from Casal di Principe
in the province of Caserta
between Naples
and Salerno
. He has been on the "most wanted list" of the Italian ministry of the Interior since 2003 until his arrest in April 2010. Convicted for extortion and membership in the Camorra, he has yet to serve a prison sentence of nine years and four months.
He is a nephew of Casalesi boss Francesco Schiavone
and considered to be the actual leader of the clan with Schiavone’s wife Giuseppina Nappa, Vincenzo Schiavone and Mario Caterino
. He was first arrested in March 1999 for racketeering and Mafia association. He was also charged with the murder of Aldo Scalzone in 1991. The Camorra considered Scalzone to be a police informer. Panaro was released in 2002 after his lawyers demonstrated that testimonies of Camorra turncoats were insufficient. Since his release he became a fugitive.
His brother Sebastiano Panaro received a life sentence at the Spartacus Trial
against the Casalesi clan. Nicola Panaro is accused of being the intermediary of the clan in financial transactions with Nicola Cosentino
, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Economy of Premier Berlusconi
’s fourth Government and head of Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) party in Campania.
On January 8, 2009, an international warrant was issued against him, to be arrested for extradition. He was arrested on April 14, 2010, in Lusciano
(Italy).
Camorra
The Camorra is a Mafia-type criminal organization, or secret society, originating in the region of Campania and its capital Naples in Italy. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating to the 18th century.-Background:...
and member in the Casalesi clan
Casalesi clan
The Casalesi clan is a clan within the Camorra, an Italian criminal organization, operating from Casal di Principe in the province of Caserta between Naples and Salerno.Formed by Antonio Bardellino, it is a confederation of clans in the Caserta area...
from Casal di Principe
Casal di Principe
Casal di Principe is a comune in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region Campania, located about 25 km northwest of Naples and about 20 km southwest of Caserta....
in the province of Caserta
Province of Caserta
The Province of Caserta is a province in the Campania region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Caserta. The former royal palace of Caserta is located near to the city.It has an area of 2,639 km², and a total population of 879,342...
between Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
and Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
. He has been on the "most wanted list" of the Italian ministry of the Interior since 2003 until his arrest in April 2010. Convicted for extortion and membership in the Camorra, he has yet to serve a prison sentence of nine years and four months.
He is a nephew of Casalesi boss Francesco Schiavone
Francesco Schiavone
Francesco Schiavone is a member of the Camorra, the Neapolitan organized crime syndicate, and the head of the Casalesi clan from Casal di Principe in the province of Caserta between Naples and Salerno...
and considered to be the actual leader of the clan with Schiavone’s wife Giuseppina Nappa, Vincenzo Schiavone and Mario Caterino
Mario Caterino
Mario Caterino , is an Italian Camorrista and member in the Casalesi clan from Casal di Principe in the province of Caserta between Naples and Salerno...
. He was first arrested in March 1999 for racketeering and Mafia association. He was also charged with the murder of Aldo Scalzone in 1991. The Camorra considered Scalzone to be a police informer. Panaro was released in 2002 after his lawyers demonstrated that testimonies of Camorra turncoats were insufficient. Since his release he became a fugitive.
His brother Sebastiano Panaro received a life sentence at the Spartacus Trial
Spartacus Trial
The Spartacus Maxi-Trial was a series of criminal trials that were specifically directed against the activities of the powerful Casalesi clan of the Camorra. The trial was opened at the Corte d'Assise of Santa Maria Capua Vetere in Caserta...
against the Casalesi clan. Nicola Panaro is accused of being the intermediary of the clan in financial transactions with Nicola Cosentino
Nicola Cosentino
Nicola Cosentino is an Italian politician. He is currently the regional coordinator of Forza Italia in Campania.-Biography:Cosentino was born in Casal di Principe, one of Camorra's strongholds near Naples...
, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Economy of Premier Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi , also known as Il Cavaliere – from knighthood to the Order of Merit for Labour which he received in 1977 – is an Italian politician and businessman who served three terms as Prime Minister of Italy, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. Berlusconi is also the...
’s fourth Government and head of Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) party in Campania.
On January 8, 2009, an international warrant was issued against him, to be arrested for extradition. He was arrested on April 14, 2010, in Lusciano
Lusciano
Lusciano is a comune in the province of Caserta in Campania, Italy.-Nearest communes:*Aversa*Trentola - DucentaIt is also the residential centre and has a residential complex named Aversa 2....
(Italy).