Public opinion and media debates around Matteo Messina Denaro—discover key moments of controversy.
Matteo Messina Denaro, nicknamed Diabolik, was a prominent Sicilian Mafia boss hailing from Castelvetrano. Following the arrests of key figures like Bernardo Provenzano and Salvatore Lo Piccolo, he rose to prominence as one of the new leaders within the Sicilian mob. The son of a Mafia boss, Denaro gained national notoriety when L'Espresso magazine featured him on its cover in 2001, declaring him the new head of the Mafia. His career was characterized by alleged involvement in numerous crimes and a long period spent as a fugitive.
1991: Observed Giovanni Falcone and Claudio Martelli
In 1991, Messina Denaro observed the movements of Giovanni Falcone and the Minister of Justice, Claudio Martelli.
Share
January 1993: Arrest of Salvatore Riina
In January 1993, after the arrest of Salvatore Riina, Cosa Nostra embarked on a terrorist campaign in which Messina Denaro played a prominent role.
Share
May 1993: Tailing Maurizio Costanzo
In May 1993, Messina Denaro tailed the TV journalist Maurizio Costanzo, who had just escaped a car bomb attack.
Share
1998: Young Turks Wanted to Set Aside Provenzano
According to Giusy Vitale, in 1998, Messina Denaro was one of the young Turks within Cosa Nostra who wanted to set aside Bernardo Provenzano and take strategic decisions without his consent.
Share
2000: Arrest of Maria Mesi
In 2000, Maria Mesi was arrested, and because police found love letters that she had exchanged with Messina Denaro, the following year she was sentenced to three years in prison for aiding and abetting.
Share
May 2002: Life Imprisonment Sentence
On May 6, 2002, Messina Denaro was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for his role in the bombings of 1993.
Share
December 2007: Arrest of Giuseppe Grigoli
Giuseppe Grigoli was arrested in December 2007 after authorities found documents linking him to Messina Denaro in the hideout where Provenzano was arrested in April 2006.
Share
November 2008: Seizure of Giuseppe Grigoli's Assets
On 18 November 2008, Italian authorities seized €700 million in assets from the supermarket king of Sicily, Giuseppe Grigoli, traceable to Messina Denaro.
Share
2008: Seizure of Giuseppe Grigoli's Assets
In 2008, €700 million in assets were seized from supermarket magnate Giuseppe Grigoli, reinforcing the awareness of Messina Denaro's significant economic influence.
Share
November 2009: Seizure of Francesco Pecora's Assets
In November 2009, authorities seized €200 million from construction tycoon Francesco Pecora, further highlighting Messina Denaro's deep-rooted economic power.
Share
January 2010: Seizure of Rosario Cascio's Assets
In January 2010, police seized construction companies, villas, shops, and vehicles worth some €550 million from Rosario Cascio, believed to be a key financial figure for Messina Denaro.
Share
March 2010: Arrest of Salvatore Messina Denaro
On 15 March 2010, Messina Denaro's brother, Salvatore Messina Denaro, was arrested along with 18 others in operation "Golem 2".
Share
September 2010: Seizure of Vito Nicastri's Assets
In September 2010, police seized a record amount of assets, worth €1.5 billion, from Vito Nicastri, accused of working with Messina Denaro.
Share
2012: Life Imprisonment for Giuseppe Di Matteo Murder
In 2012, Messina Denaro, though still at large, was one of five people sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the murder of Giuseppe Di Matteo.
Share
December 2013: Arrest of Patrizia Messina Denaro
On 13 December 2013, Messina Denaro's sister, Patrizia Messina Denaro, was arrested along with several other mafia associates in a serious blow to Messina Denaro by Italian police.
Share
December 2014: Seizure of Olive Groves
In December 2014, Italian police came close to apprehending Messina Denaro after they made an estimated €20 million seizure of his assets in the form of valuable olive groves in Trapani.
Share
April 2018: Sentencing of Patrizia Messina Denaro
On 17 April 2018, Patrizia Messina Denaro, sister of Matteo, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for mafia association, external competition, and attempted extortion.
Share
November 2018: Seizure of Carmelo Patti's Assets
In November 2018, Italian businessman Carmelo Patti, accused of working with Messina Denaro, had €1.5 billion of his assets seized by Italian police on the basis that they related to the proceeds of crime.
Share
October 2020: Life Imprisonment for Bombings
On 20 October 2020, Messina Denaro was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by the Corte d'Assise for having been one of the instigators of the Capaci bombing and Via D'Amelio bombing.
Share
July 2023: Sentence Confirmed
On 18 July 2023, after his capture in January 2023, Messina Denaro's life imprisonment sentence was confirmed.
Share