Salvatore Riina

Salvatore Riina was a dominant leader of the Sicilian Mafia. He was known by several nicknames, including "la belva" (the beast) and "il capo dei capi" (the boss of bosses).

Riina led the Corleonesi, a criminal organization based in Corleone, Sicily. His leadership was defined by a massive and violent campaign. This campaign eventually brought him into direct conflict with the Italian state. His actions changed how the government fought organized crime. This history involves complex power struggles and significant legal changes.

Riina's rise to power began in the Corleonesi group. He succeeded Luciano Leggio as the head of this group in the mid-1970s. Before this, Riina had been a fugitive since the late 1960s. He had been indicted for murder and spent many years hiding.

To gain control, Riina used a strategy of extreme violence. He targeted his rivals to remove any internal threats. This period of conflict is known as the Second Mafia War. During this war, the Corleonesi killed many powerful Mafia bosses.

One notable victim was Stefano Bontade, who was killed in 1981. This war resulted in up to one thousand murders.

Riina's methods often broke established Mafia codes. While older leaders often used bribery to gain influence, Riina used a scorched-earth policy. He ordered the killing of women and children. He also killed innocent members of the public. He did this to distract law enforcement agencies from his activities. A hitman named Giovanni Brusca estimated that Riina murdered between 100 and 200 people. This violence helped him neutralize rivals. However, it also made him more vulnerable to the state. He moved from quiet influence to open confrontation with the government.

In the 1980s, the Italian state began to fight back more effectively. A politician named Pio La Torre introduced a law to create a new offense for Mafia association. This law also allowed for the confiscation of Mafia assets. Riina responded by ordering the murder of La Torre in 1982. Shortly after, General Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa was also killed in a drive-by shooting.

These violent acts caused widespread public outcry. The government responded by passing La Torre's law just ten days after his death. This marked a major shift in how Italy handled organized crime.

A turning point occurred when Tommaso Buscetta became an informant. He was a high-profile member who became known as a pentito. Buscetta revealed that the Mafia was a single organization. He explained that a group called the Cupola, or Commission, led the entire structure. This information helped judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. They used his testimony during the Maxi Trial in 1986. During this trial, 475 Mafia members were indicted. In total, 338 members were convicted. This trial proved that the top leaders were responsible for the organization's crimes.

Riina attempted to stop the legal pressure through more violence. In 1984, his group carried out the "Christmas Massacre." This was a bombing of Train 904 that killed 17 people and wounded 267 others. Later, in 1992, the Mafia assassinated two famous judges. Giovanni Falcone was killed by a massive explosion on a highway. Two months later, Paolo Borsellino was killed by a car bomb. These assassinations outraged the entire country. The Italian government responded with a massive crackdown against the Mafia. This crackdown was a direct result of the public's anger.

After years as a fugitive, Riina was finally captured in 1993.

His arrest led to more violence from his organization. They even bombed art galleries and churches to protest. Riina was sentenced to life imprisonment for his many crimes. He was convicted of the murders of Falcone and Borsellino. Because he refused to cooperate, he was placed under the Article 41-bis prison regime. This is a very strict set of rules for high-level prisoners. Riina remained in this regime until he died on 17 November 2017. His life remains a central part of the history of organized crime in Italy.