Domenico Libri
Encyclopedia
Domenico Libri also known as Don Mico, was an Italian
criminal and a member of the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria
. He was a fugitive since June 1989 and included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy until his capture in September 1992. At the time he was considered to be the 'Ndrangheta’s number one.
The Libri clan, headed by Domenico and his brother Pasquale, dominated the Cannavò neighbourhood of Reggio Calabria
. They moved into construction and were able to win public contracts for their company Edilizia Reggina due to their contacts with politicians, such as Riccardo Misasi, a former Christian Democrat
Education Minister.
His first arrest was in 1962, for illegal possession of firearms. In the following years multiple arrests and short prison sentences on charges for fraud, extortion, instigation to murder, murder, drug trafficking and criminal association.
and sided with them when the so-called second 'Ndrangheta war broke out in 1985. After the murder of Paolo De Stefano
on October 13, 1985, Libri succeeded him as the leader of the alliance with Giovanni Tegano
. The bloody six-year war (1985–1991) between the Condello
-Imerti
clan and De Stefano-Tegano-Libri-Latella clan left 621 deaths.
In the midst of the 'Ndrangheta war he was arrested on October 13, 1986, in Milan
(he had been banned by the court to reside in Calabria). Libri became one of the principal targets of the opposing clans. While in prison a sniper killed his son Pasquale Rocco Libri on September 10, 1988, as he was strolling in the prison yard. Six months later, on March 17, 1989, a sniper just missed Don Mico Libri, surrounded by Carabinieri, when he was leaving the court in Reggio Calabria where he had to appear in a trial against the 'Ndrangheta.
and went on the run. While on the run he returned to his strongly protected villa in Reggio Calabria to continue the war against rival clans.
A peace for the bloody feud was brokered in September 1991 on the instigation of Domenico Libri. The conflict was settled with the help of other 'Ndrangheta bosses. Antonio Nirta
, head of the San Luca
locale vouched for the De Stefano-Tegano and Libri, while Antonio Mammoliti vouched for the Condello-Imerti clan. Libri became a member of La Provincia, a provincial commission of the 'Ndrangheta formed at the end of the Second 'Ndrangheta war in September 1991, to avoid further internal conflicts.
(France
). He was extradited to Italy. While on trial for murders and criminal association and his role in the Second 'Ndrangheta war, he was released for medical reason and placed under house arrest. According to prosecutor Salvatore Boemi said that the release was "a slap in the face for those who have worked for the restoration of justice in Calabria." His son Antonio Libri, also on the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy, was arrested on May 23, 2000.
In April 2002, he received six life sentences for 18 murders and criminal association in the Olimpia Trial against the 'Ndrangheta. In and out of prison for medical reasons, he was arrested again in March 2006 in Prato
where he was living under house arrest. He died on May 1, 2006, in the Secondigliano prison in Naples.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
criminal and a member of the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
. He was a fugitive since June 1989 and included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy until his capture in September 1992. At the time he was considered to be the 'Ndrangheta’s number one.
The Libri clan, headed by Domenico and his brother Pasquale, dominated the Cannavò neighbourhood of Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria
Reggio di Calabria , commonly known as Reggio Calabria or Reggio, is the biggest city and the most populated comune of Calabria, southern Italy, and is the capital of the Province of Reggio Calabria and seat of the Council of Calabrian government.Reggio is located on the "toe" of the Italian...
. They moved into construction and were able to win public contracts for their company Edilizia Reggina due to their contacts with politicians, such as Riccardo Misasi, a former Christian Democrat
Christian Democracy (Italy)
Christian Democracy was a Christian democratic party in Italy. It was founded in 1943 as the ideological successor of the historical Italian People's Party, which had the same symbol, a crossed shield ....
Education Minister.
His first arrest was in 1962, for illegal possession of firearms. In the following years multiple arrests and short prison sentences on charges for fraud, extortion, instigation to murder, murder, drug trafficking and criminal association.
Second 'Ndrangheta war
Libri was closely connected to the De Stefano clanDe Stefano 'ndrina
The De Stefano 'ndrina is one of the most powerful clans of the 'Ndrangheta, a criminal and mafia-type organisation in Calabria, Italy. The 'ndrina hailed from the Archi neighbourhood in Reggio Calabria. Several of its members were included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy...
and sided with them when the so-called second 'Ndrangheta war broke out in 1985. After the murder of Paolo De Stefano
Paolo De Stefano
Paolo De Stefano was a member of the 'Ndrangheta who became the undisputed boss of Reggio Calabria. Together with his brothers Giovanni, Giorgio and Orazio he headed the De Stefano 'ndrina.-Early years:...
on October 13, 1985, Libri succeeded him as the leader of the alliance with Giovanni Tegano
Giovanni Tegano
Giovanni Tegano is an Italian criminal and a member of the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia. He was a fugitive since 1993 and included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy, until his arrest in April 2010...
. The bloody six-year war (1985–1991) between the Condello
Pasquale Condello
Pasquale Condello is an Italian criminal known as a member of the 'Ndrangheta. He is also known as "Il supremo" for his role at the top of the crime syndicate. He was a fugitive since 1990 and included in the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy until his capture in February 2008...
-Imerti
Antonio Imerti
Antonio Imerti , also known as "Nanu feroce" , is an Italian criminal and a member of the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia...
clan and De Stefano-Tegano-Libri-Latella clan left 621 deaths.
In the midst of the 'Ndrangheta war he was arrested on October 13, 1986, in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
(he had been banned by the court to reside in Calabria). Libri became one of the principal targets of the opposing clans. While in prison a sniper killed his son Pasquale Rocco Libri on September 10, 1988, as he was strolling in the prison yard. Six months later, on March 17, 1989, a sniper just missed Don Mico Libri, surrounded by Carabinieri, when he was leaving the court in Reggio Calabria where he had to appear in a trial against the 'Ndrangheta.
Fugitive
He obtained a medical release for arteriopathy, which forced him to walk with a crutch. After being released from the hospital on June 2, 1989, Libri managed to escape his escort of eight CarabinieriCarabinieri
The Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations, and is a branch of the armed forces.-Early history:...
and went on the run. While on the run he returned to his strongly protected villa in Reggio Calabria to continue the war against rival clans.
A peace for the bloody feud was brokered in September 1991 on the instigation of Domenico Libri. The conflict was settled with the help of other 'Ndrangheta bosses. Antonio Nirta
Antonio Nirta
Antonio Nirta is a boss of the 'Ndrangheta, a Mafia-type organization in Calabria . Together with his brothers Giuseppe, Francesco and Sebastiano, he ruled San Luca, a stronghold of the 'Ndrangheta.-'Ndrangheta in San Luca:...
, head of the San Luca
San Luca
San Luca is a comune in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 100 km southwest of Catanzaro and about 35 km east of Reggio Calabria. The town is situated on the eastern slopes of the Aspromonte mountain, in the valley of the Bonamico river...
locale vouched for the De Stefano-Tegano and Libri, while Antonio Mammoliti vouched for the Condello-Imerti clan. Libri became a member of La Provincia, a provincial commission of the 'Ndrangheta formed at the end of the Second 'Ndrangheta war in September 1991, to avoid further internal conflicts.
Arrested in France
On September 17, 1992, he was arrested in MarseilleMarseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
(France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
). He was extradited to Italy. While on trial for murders and criminal association and his role in the Second 'Ndrangheta war, he was released for medical reason and placed under house arrest. According to prosecutor Salvatore Boemi said that the release was "a slap in the face for those who have worked for the restoration of justice in Calabria." His son Antonio Libri, also on the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy, was arrested on May 23, 2000.
In April 2002, he received six life sentences for 18 murders and criminal association in the Olimpia Trial against the 'Ndrangheta. In and out of prison for medical reasons, he was arrested again in March 2006 in Prato
Prato
Prato is a city and comune in Tuscany, Italy, the capital of the Province of Prato. The city is situated at the foot of Monte Retaia , the last peak in the Calvana chain. The lowest altitude in the comune is 32 m, near the Cascine di Tavola, and the highest is the peak of Monte Cantagrillo...
where he was living under house arrest. He died on May 1, 2006, in the Secondigliano prison in Naples.