A new chapter has emerged in the proceedings surrounding the escape of Marco Raduano, the Foggia-based mafia boss who escaped from Badu 'e Carros prison on February 24, 2023, and is now a cooperating witness. This morning, before the Cagliari Courthouse, all defendants chose to participate in the summary trial, thus abandoning the initially scheduled witness list. The trial has been adjourned until September 23, when the prosecution's oral arguments will be held.
In particular, Giovanni Furfaro and Salvatore Deledda—the latter a prison officer in Siniscola—through their respective defense attorneys (lawyer Sergio Milia for Furfaro, and lawyers Roberto Deledda, Stefano Stochino, and Erika Dessì for Deledda), had initially requested the summary trial conditioned on the hearing of certain witnesses. Today, however, they formally waived their right to those testimonies, opting for the summary trial, which provides for trial based on the available evidence.
Only two defendants at the trial
Only two defendants remain in the ordinary proceedings: Antonio Mangia and Pietro Tolu, farmers from Orune, represented by the lawyer Giancarmelo Serra. Their trial opened on July 9th in Nuoro, marking the beginning of the hearing before the judging panel. A symbolic and substantial transition took place there: Marco Raduano went from being a top fugitive to a top witness for the prosecution. Now a cooperating witness, he will be called to testify alongside his accomplice Gianluigi Troiano, reconstructing before the court the network of accomplices that allegedly facilitated his escape and his time as a fugitive.
The accusations and the context
The charges brought, to varying degrees, include aiding and abetting, procuring evasion of sentence, illegal possession of weapons, and aggravated mafia circumstances. In addition to Mangia and Tolu, those implicated include Massimiliano Demontis (47, from Sant'Antonio di Gallura), Elio, Mauro, and Antonio Gusino (farmers from Padru), Pietro Antonio Tolu (51), and Martino Contu (54, from Bitti). The defense is being handled by a large team of lawyers: Francesco Marongiu, Erika Dessì, Stefano Stochino, Giancarmelo Serra, Giuseppe Talanas, Potito Flagella, Agostinangelo Marras, Sergio Milia, and Giampaolo Murrighile.
