A Palermo judge on Monday
sentenced six Africans to prison sentences ranging from
two to six years four months for human trafficking.
This is the first conviction in Italy that recognizes the
existence of a racketeering organization that traffics human
beings.
The sentence came in a fast-track trial, which in Italy
means the ruling can't be appealed, but sentences are reduced by
a third
if the defendants are found guilty.
The six defendants, all Eritrean nationals, formed the cell
of the organisation that managed the stay in Italy of migrants
arriving from Libya and their passage to other European
countries.
One, Nuredin Atta, turned state's evidence and his
testimony reportedly helped prosecutors sew up the case, as well
as feeding into other similar investigations.
Proceedings have been suspended against a further three
people thought to be at the head of the organisation on grounds
they could not be traced.
The trial grew out of the so-called Glauco investigation
that began after the Lampedusa shipwreck of October 3, 2013, in
which 366 migrants and refugees lost their lives.
Survivors' reports enabled investigators to identify the
traffickers.
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