Information on organized crime specific to the above-mentioned localities or on state protection available against Mafia extortion, could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, for recent information on organized crime and the Mafia, please consult the attached sections of Country Reports 1995 and the other attachments.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 11 March 1996. "Italy Cracks Down on Organized Crime." (NEXIS)

_____ . 8 January 1996. "Star Mafia Turncoat Takes the Stand at Andreotti Trial." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 16 April 1996. (NEXIS)

_____. 30 March 1996. (NEXIS)

_____. 13 January 1996. "Accused Mafia Bomber Evades Police Raid." (NEXIS)

Chicago Tribune. 27 February 1996. Evening Update Edition. "Missile Launcher in Mafia Cache." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. (Electronic version received from Resource Information Center, US Immigration and Naturalization Service)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 11 April 1996. BC Cycle. "New Trial Against Ex-Premier Giulio Andreotti Opens in Italy." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 April 1996. BC Cycle. "Wanted Mafia Boss Caught Near Naples." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 5 April 1996. BC Cycle. "Italian Ex-Spy Chief Gets 10 Years for Mafia Links." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 March 1996. BC Cycle. "Italian Police Arrest 226 in Dawn Raids." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 February 1996. BC Cycle. "Italian Police Arrest Suspected Naples Mafia Boss." (NEXIS)

_____. 19 January 1996. BC Cycle. "Italian Police Arrest 13 in 1993 Mafia Bomb Probe." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 January 1996. BC Cycle. "Three Mafiosi Sentenced for Killing Tax Collector." (NEXIS)

United Press International (U.P.I.). 27 January 1996. BC Cycle. "Borsellino Bombers Get Life Sentences." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 13 January 1996. Final Edition. Daniel Williams. " Baroness's Noble Battle Against the Mob; Gun Attack Survivor Blames Italian Government for Mafia's Impunity." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources.
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