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Licence of pilot who flew low to drop petals for mafiosi funeral suspended Licence of pilot who flew over Rome to drop petals for mafia funeral suspended
(about 1 hour later)
Italy’s civil aviation authority has suspended the licence of a helicopter pilot who flew low over Rome to drop flower petals during a mafia boss’s funeral, the first head to roll in a scandal that has outraged city residents.Italy’s civil aviation authority has suspended the licence of a helicopter pilot who flew low over Rome to drop flower petals during a mafia boss’s funeral, the first head to roll in a scandal that has outraged city residents.
The lavish funeral for Vittorio Casamonica – identified as the head of the Casamonica clan – saw his coffin paraded through the streets in a gilded horse-drawn carriage on Thursday and posters outside the church declare him the “king of Rome”. Mourners were greeted with music from the film The Godfather as rose petals fell from the sky.The lavish funeral for Vittorio Casamonica – identified as the head of the Casamonica clan – saw his coffin paraded through the streets in a gilded horse-drawn carriage on Thursday and posters outside the church declare him the “king of Rome”. Mourners were greeted with music from the film The Godfather as rose petals fell from the sky.
Italy’s interior minister, Angelino Alfano, has demanded to know why city authorities permitted the spectacle.Italy’s interior minister, Angelino Alfano, has demanded to know why city authorities permitted the spectacle.
The Italian civil aviation authority said on Friday it was suspending the licence of the pilot as a precaution, given that single-engine helicopters are prohibited from flying over the capital. It said the helicopter flew below the 330-metre limit and violated regulations by tossing out objects.
Although he was never convicted of being a mafia don, the 65-year-old – who died of cancer – was the believed head of the Casamonica clan, which reportedly runs drugs, fraud and extortion rings in Rome.
Related: Disgust in Rome at mafia don's glamour funeral complete with Godfather musicRelated: Disgust in Rome at mafia don's glamour funeral complete with Godfather music
The Italian civil aviation authority said on Friday it was suspending the licence of the pilot as a precaution, given that single-engine helicopters are prohibited from flying over the capital. It said the helicopter flew below the 330-metre limit and violated regulations by tossing out objects.
Although he was never convicted of being a mafia don, the 65-year-old, who died of cancer, was believed to be the head of the Casamonica clan which reportedly runs drugs, fraud and extortion rings in Rome.
The clan, which has its roots in the Roma community, is one of the crime networks accused of infiltrating the city’s government and influencing politicians in a spiralling corruption investigation.The clan, which has its roots in the Roma community, is one of the crime networks accused of infiltrating the city’s government and influencing politicians in a spiralling corruption investigation.
Rome’s police chief, Franco Gabrielli, on Friday admitted to “a failure in the system” and in an interview with the Catholic publication Famiglia Cristiana, he blamed a breakdown in communications caused partly by August holiday absences. He said such a scene “should never have taken place”.Rome’s police chief, Franco Gabrielli, on Friday admitted to “a failure in the system” and in an interview with the Catholic publication Famiglia Cristiana, he blamed a breakdown in communications caused partly by August holiday absences. He said such a scene “should never have taken place”.
Rome’s mayor, Ignazio Marino, had on Thursday taken to Twitter to express his fury that “a funeral should be used to pass mafia messages”.Rome’s mayor, Ignazio Marino, had on Thursday taken to Twitter to express his fury that “a funeral should be used to pass mafia messages”.
Ho chiamato il Prefetto perché siano accertati i fatti. È intollerabile che i funerali siano strumenti dei vivi per inviare messaggi mafiosiHo chiamato il Prefetto perché siano accertati i fatti. È intollerabile che i funerali siano strumenti dei vivi per inviare messaggi mafiosi
The funeral is the latest scandal to rock Rome following a summer of revelations of mafia-linked corruption among politicians and a breakdown in public transport and other services. The day before Thursday’s funeral a judge had set the date for the trial of 59 people charged in relation to graft around the awarding of city contracts.The funeral is the latest scandal to rock Rome following a summer of revelations of mafia-linked corruption among politicians and a breakdown in public transport and other services. The day before Thursday’s funeral a judge had set the date for the trial of 59 people charged in relation to graft around the awarding of city contracts.
“It seemed like being inside a movie set. Ostentatious luxury, horses decorated in black, a carriage with golden decoration that probably not even Queen Elizabeth could afford,” resident Walter Grubissa said on Friday. “It seemed like being inside a movie set. Ostentatious luxury, horses decorated in black, a carriage with golden decoration that probably not even Queen Elizabeth could afford,” said resident Walter Grubissa.
Others said the service itself was sober. “People inside the church followed the ceremony with care,” said Giovanni Segatori of the San Giovanni Bosco parish.Others said the service itself was sober. “People inside the church followed the ceremony with care,” said Giovanni Segatori of the San Giovanni Bosco parish.
The gaudy event has gone down particularly badly because in 2006 the same church refused a funeral to the terminally ill poet Piergiorgio Welby, who was helped to die by one of his doctors in a case that divided Italy.The gaudy event has gone down particularly badly because in 2006 the same church refused a funeral to the terminally ill poet Piergiorgio Welby, who was helped to die by one of his doctors in a case that divided Italy.
But the new priest in charge of the church said he knew nothing of Casamonica’s past, or of the pomp his friends had planned for his send-off. The new priest in charge of the church said he knew nothing of Casamonica’s past, or of the pomp his friends had planned for his send-off.
Agence France-Press and the Associated Press contributed to this reportAgence France-Press and the Associated Press contributed to this report