An Italian crime fugitive managed to elude authorities for over a decade until his cover was blown during a celebration of Napoli soccer club’s victory in Corfu, Greece.
Vincenzo La Porta, a 60-year-old fugitive listed as one of Italy’s 100 most dangerous criminals, was identified in a photograph of fans celebrating the recent triumph of Napoli soccer team in Corfu. Authorities from the Carabinieri parliamentary police, based in Naples, Italy, tracked him down.
Investigators revealed that La Porta was caught in the photo carrying a scarf in the team’s colors.
With the photo as evidence, police followed La Porta in Corfu and apprehended him while he was riding a motorcycle. Greek police confirmed his arrest on Friday afternoon.
La Porta had been convicted in absentia for criminal and organizational offenses and was believed to have close ties to the Camorra syndicate, a crime clan based in Naples.
“His love for soccer and the Napoli team became his downfall,” stated the police. “Unable to resist celebrating the championship victory, La Porta exposed himself.”
Authorities tracked La Porta’s online activities, including his financial transactions, patiently waiting for him to make a mistake.
Corfu police stated that La Porta appeared before a prosecutor on Saturday and has been detained until a judge decides on Italy’s extradition request.
“He will not agree to extradition,” affirmed Athanassios Giannakouris, La Porta’s lawyer, in an interview with The Associated Press. “He was previously convicted of tax offenses. He has built a new life in Greece, with a 9-year-old son, working as a cook to support his family. He also suffers from heart ailments. Extradition would ruin him and his family.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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