A nun, Sister Anna Donelli, is among 25 arrested in an investigation by the Brescia Prosecutor's Office against a suspected criminal group linked to the 'Ndrangheta.
According to the accusation, the nun was “at the disposal of the association to guarantee the connection with collaborators detained in prison.” Among those arrested are former municipal councilors of Brescia.
The 25 arrested people are accused of extortion, arms and drug trafficking, trade in stolen goods, usury, tax crimes and money laundering. Those involved are accused of favoring the Tripodi gang of Calabria, "both to obtain illegal financial benefits and to maintain and strengthen the operational capacity of the association and the criminal reputation of the criminal group".
Anna Donelli, 57, a volunteer at Brescia prison and a frequent referee for youth soccer matches, is suspected of playing a key role in money laundering and the sheltering of fugitives. She was discovered after months of investigation and the news went viral in a matter of hours.