Police stage arrests over shock Caivano gang rape

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 26 - Police on Tuesday staged arrests in relation to the gang rape of two girls aged 10 and 12 in the crime-infested town of Caivano near Naples, sources said.
    The news of the rape of the girls, who are cousins, shocked the nation when it came out in August and led to a visit by Premier Giorgia Meloni.
    A series of police operations to crack down on crime in Caivano and problem districts in the Naples area and other parts of Italy have also followed, with Meloni saying "no-fly zones" where criminals are free to do as they please must not be tolerated.
    The sources said nine suspects have been subjected to "precautionary measures", including seven minors.
    Such precautionary measures can range from detention in jail to house arrest and the obligation to regularly sign in with the police.
    The girls were allegedly taken to an abandoned sports centre and raped there.
    It is suspected that the gang rape was just one of a series of acts of violence.
    Tuesday's arrests were made after evidence was gathered following the seizure of the mobile telephones of several suspects, the sources said.
    Work has started on renovating the sports centre that was the scene of the crime and it should be ready by spring 2024.
    (ANSA).