Mafia clan in real life. Italian mafia: history of appearance, names and surnames

Organized crime groups of the world. Italian mafia. Camorra. Part 1. October 4th, 2013

Hello dear!
We continue the theme of Italian criminal gangs, which we started here here: and here:.
I propose to talk about the main "ideological" antagonist of Cosa Nostra in Italy - the Camorra groups. I didn't say "groups" for nothing. After all, there is no single organization under that name. At the moment, there are about 115 clans around the world that call themselves the sonorous name of Camorra. And if Sosa Nostra is feared, but respected, then Camorra is feared and hated. First of all - the inhabitants of Naples, a city that is considered the cradle and birthplace of this branch of the mafia. Camorra is a Neapolitan mafia, or rather, a criminal organization of the entire province of Campania.
It's funny that by and large the mafia just can not be called. Because it originally formed at the beginningXVIcenturies from several secret Spanish societies and was not aimed at the liberation of Italy, but just the opposite. First in Pisa, then in Cagliari, the Camorra called themselves mercenaries of Spanish origin, who helped the authorities in patrolling the villages and restoring order among the poor. In 1735, Austria renounced the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily in favor of the Duke of Parma, the youngest son of the Spanish king Philip V, on the condition that these territories would not also belong to the Spanish crown. Then a new royal branch came to power here - the Neapolitan Bourbons.

Coat of arms of the Neapolitan Bourbons

Camorra played for them the role of intelligence and counterintelligence among the Italians, agents embedded in the common people - a kind of Japanese shinobi (ninja). For the first time in documents, this organization emerges at the beginning of the 19th century after Bourbonov expelled Napoleon from Naples, placing his favorite Murat there. But after the restoration of the Bourbons, the Camorra is called an organization from which the monarchists drew not only spies and headphones, but also murderers and executioners - the Camorra directly switched to terror.
Considering that the power of the Bourbons also extended to Sicily, it is quite understandable why the confrontation between Camorra and Cosa Nostra has a long history. However, the Camorra soon became a kind of police, controlling all the dens and taverns of Naples. What is the reason for the change in the vector of development, I can’t say.
Now the organization recruited its members not from the Spaniards and noble Neapolitans, but from the urban and rural poor. And during the unification of Italy, the Camorra supported the Savoy dynasty with all its might, and not the Bourbons at all, for which at first it had preferences from the new government. However, soon the new government, having enjoyed such cooperation to its fullest, is trying to eradicate the mafia in Naples. But it was not there. Benito Mussolini advanced the furthest in this direction in the mid-20s of the twentieth century, although his successes cannot be called brilliant. After the war, the Camorra flourished even more and survived safely to this day.

Arrest of camorristi in Italy in the 19th century

The term "Camorra" itself has not yet been precisely defined etymologically. In modern Italian, the word means "noise, turmoil, confusion". In southern slang, comorra is just a gang. It is officially accepted (but I personally do not like this version) that the name was formed from the merger of the words "capo" (boss) and "morra" - a forbidden street game. In Old Spanish, the similar word "chamora" means a short jacket worn by mercenaries in the Middle Ages. I prefer the theory that Naples was called the "New Gomorrah" (remember such a biblical city?), that is, the members of the organization took upon themselves the sins of the city and pledged to cleanse it.
It became possible to talk about the structure and customs of the organization only by the beginning of the 20th century, when a more or less regulated set of rules appeared for most of its members. The cell of the organization (like the Cosa Nostra family) consisted of three classes: giovanotti (newcomers), picciotti (brothers) and camorristi (uncles). At the head was a vicar (Vicario).

Later version of chamora

To get into the gang, it was necessary to secure the recommendation of several active members. It was specifically stipulated that police and customs officials could not be members of the organization. The final decision on admission remained with the general meeting - Mala Vita (a familiar term, right?). If the decision was positive, the newcomer was given a terrible oath. Chained by one leg, standing with the other in an open grave, he vowed to leave his father, mother, wife, children and everything that is close and dear to him, and devote himself to the service of Mala Vita. Violation of the oath entailed terrible punishments, the executor of the sentence was chosen by lot.
Even more rigid was the system of transition from picciotti to camorristi. In this case, the members of the organization gathered in some secret place and sat down at the table, on which the cult objects of the gang were laid out: a dagger, a pistol and a glass of poisoned wine. A picciotto would appear in front of the table, accompanied by his sponsor, who would open a vein in the right arm and inflict a small scar on the face of the initiate.
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early 20th century camorristi with facial scars

The candidate raised his hand and swore to sacredly keep the secrets of the organization, to obey all its instructions and to follow orders exactly. After uttering an oath, he took one of the murder weapons lying in front of him and directed it at himself. With the other hand, he took from the table and raised to his lips a glass of poisoned wine: this symbolized his complete readiness to sacrifice his life in the service of the Camorra. After that, the Vicar ordered him to kneel, put his right hand on the head of the candidate, fired a pistol, shattered a glass and gave the newcomer a dagger of a special form, which was supposed to serve as a sign of belonging to the organization (as well as a scar). Then, lifting the new brother from his knees, he embraced him, and this example was followed by all those present. Now the picciotto became equal to the camorristi. It is quite possible that some of the clans still use a similar (classical) initiation system.
To be continued...
Have a nice day!

Until now, the origin of the word "mafia" (in the early texts - "maffia") has not been precisely established, and therefore there are many assumptions of varying degrees of certainty.

The first use of the word "mafia" in relation to criminal gangs was probably used in 1863 in the comedy staged in Palermo by Gaetano Mosca and Giuseppe Rizzotto "Mafiosi from the Vicaria Prison" (Eng. I mafiusi di la Vicaria). Although the words "mafia" and "mobster" were never mentioned in the text, they were added to the title to give local "color"; in a comedy, we are talking about a gang formed in a Palermo prison, whose traditions are similar to those of the mafia (boss, initiation ritual, humility and humility, "protection"). In its modern meaning, the term came into circulation after the prefect of Palermo Filippo Antonio Gualterio (ital. Filippo Antonio Gualterio) used this word in an official document for 1865. The Marquis Gualterio, sent from Turin as a representative of the Italian government, wrote in his report that "the so-called mafia, that is, criminal associations, has become bolder.

The Italian deputy Leopoldo Franchetti, who traveled in Sicily and wrote one of the first authoritative accounts of the mafia in 1876, characterized the latter as an "industry of violence" and defined it as follows: "the term 'mafia' implies a class of violent criminals, ready and waiting to be named , which would describe them, and, in view of their special character and importance in the life of Sicilian society, they are entitled to another name than the vulgar "criminals" in other countries. Franchetti saw how deeply the mafia was ingrained in Sicily society and realized that it was impossible to put an end to it without fundamental changes in the social structure and institutions of the entire island.

FBI investigations in the 1980s significantly reduced her influence. Currently, the mafia in the United States is a powerful network of criminal organizations in the country, using their position to control much of the Chicago and New York criminal business. She also maintains links with the Sicilian mafia.

Organization

The mafia as such does not represent a single organization. It consists of "families" (synonyms - "clan" and "koska"), which "divide" a certain region among themselves (for example, Sicily, Naples, Calabria, Apulia, Chicago, New York). Only full-blooded Italians can be members of a "family", and in Sicilian "families", full-blooded Sicilians are allowed. Other members of the group can only be white Catholics. Family members observe the omerta.

Typical "family" structure

Typical mafia "family" hierarchy.

Boss, Don or Godfather(English) boss) is the head of the "family". Receives information about any "case" committed by each member of the "family". Boss is elected by vote capo; in the event of a tie in the number of votes, must also vote boss's henchman. Until the 1950s, all family members generally participated in voting, but later this practice was abandoned because it attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies.
improvised(English) underboss) - "deputy" boss, the second person in the "family", who is appointed by the boss himself. The henchman is responsible for the actions of all capos. In the event of the arrest or death of the boss, the henchman usually becomes the acting boss.
Consigliere(English) consigliere) - an adviser to the "family", a person whom the boss can trust and whose advice he listens to. He serves as an intermediary in resolving disputes, mediates between the boss and bribed political, union or judicial officials, or acts as a representative of the "family" at meetings with other "families". Consigliere usually do not have their own "team", but they have significant influence in the "family". However, they usually also have legitimate businesses, such as practicing law or working as a stockbroker.
Caporegime(English) caporegime), capo, or captain- the head of a "team", or "combat group" (consisting of "soldiers"), which is responsible for one or more types of criminal activity in a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe city and monthly gives the boss a part of the income received from this activity ("sends a share") . In a "family" there are usually 6-9 such "teams", and each of them has up to 10 "soldiers". The kapo is subordinate to the assistant or the boss himself. The introduction to the kapo is made by an assistant, but the boss directly appoints the kapo personally.
Soldier(English) soldier) - the youngest member of the "family" who was "introduced" into the family, firstly, because he proved his usefulness to her, and secondly, on the recommendation of one or more capos. Once elected, a soldier usually ends up on the "team" whose capo recommended him.
Partner in crime(English) associate) - not yet a member of the "family", but already a person endowed with a certain status. He usually acts as an intermediary in drug deals, acts as a bribed representative of a trade union or businessman, etc. Non-Italians are usually not accepted into the "family" and almost always remain in the status of accomplices (although there are exceptions - for example, Joe Watts, a close partner of John Gotti). When a "vacancy" arises, one or more kapos may recommend that a useful accomplice be promoted to soldier. In the event that there are several such proposals, and there is only one "vacant" place, the boss selects the candidate.

The current structure of the Italian-American mafia and the way it operates are largely determined by Salvatore Maranzano - "boss of bosses" (who, however, was killed by Lucky Luciano six months after being elected). The latest trend in the organization of the "family" is the emergence of two new "positions" - Street Boss(English) street boss) And family messenger(English) family messenger), - introduced by the former boss of the "family" Genovese Vincent Gigante.

"Ten Commandments"

No one can come up and introduce himself to one of "our" friends. Someone else should introduce them.
Never look at the wives of your friends.
Do not allow yourself to be seen in the company of police officers.
Don't go to clubs and bars.
It is your duty to always be at the disposal of Cosa Nostra, even if your wife is about to give birth.
Always show up for appointments on time.
Wives must be treated with respect.
If you are asked to give any information, answer truthfully.
You cannot embezzle money that belongs to other members of Cosa Nostra or their relatives.
The following persons cannot enter the Cosa Nostra: one whose close relative serves in the police, one whose relative or relative is cheating on his spouse, one who behaves badly and does not observe moral principles.

Mafias in the world

Italian crime groups

Cosa Nostra (Sicily)
Camorra (Campania)
'Ndrangheta (Calabria)
Sacra Corona Unita (Puglia)
Stidda
Banda della Magliana
Mala del Brenta

Italian-American "families"

"Five Families" New York:

Purple Gang of East Harlem ("The Sixth Family")
"Chicago Organization" Chicago Outfit)
"Detroit Fellowship" Detroit Partnership)
Philadelphia "family"
DeCavalcante family (New Jersey)
"Family" from Buffalo
"Family" from Pittsburgh
"Family" Buffalino
"Family" Trafficante
"Family" from Los Angeles
"Family" from St. Louis
Cleveland "family"
"Family" from New Orleans

Other ethnic criminal groups

Italian-Russian "family"

"Family" Capelli (new family);

Influence on popular culture

The mafia and its reputation is firmly rooted in American popular culture, being depicted in movies, television, books and magazine articles.

Some see the mafia as a set of attributes deeply rooted in popular culture, as a "way of being" - "the mafia is the awareness of one's own worth, the great idea of individual power as the sole judge in every conflict, every clash of interests or ideas" .

Literature

Dorigo J. Mafia. - Singapore: "Curare-N", 1998. - 112 p.
Ivanov R. Mafia in the USA. - M., 1996.
Polken K., Sceponik H. Who is not silent must die. Facts against the mafia. Per. with him. - M.: "Thought", 1982. - 383 p.

Notes

Links

Russian mafia abroad. - page removed
Video "Ndrangheta Activities in Germany" (German) .

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

If you ask which state is the birthplace of the mafia from the first person you meet, then even the uninformed will give the right answer without much thought: Italy. This country can actually be called the “flower garden” of the mafia, which has become one of the favorite topics in history and cinema textbooks.

It cannot be said that the mafiosi have done something positive and outstanding, but many still admire the unsurpassed talent of the most famous criminals, most of whom, of course, have Italian roots.

Al Capone (Al 'Capone), of course, this name is "on hearing" not only in the sunniest country located on the Apennine Peninsula, but throughout the world. The name of the infamous gangster is probably the most recognizable. And no wonder: several films were made about Capone, the most popular of which was the 1987 film The Untouchables with Robert De Niro in the title role.

Born in Brooklyn in 1889, after his family had migrated to the United States, the story of the notorious mobster begins in 1919, when he entered the service of Johnny Torii. In 1925, he became head of the Torii family, and since then, his "criminal" career has skyrocketed. Soon, Capone was no longer afraid of anyone and nothing: his people were engaged in gambling, drug sales and prostitution. He earned a reputation as an honest, intelligent, but endlessly cruel man.

One need only recall the famous massacre on Valentine's Day, when a group led by a gangster destroyed many mafia leaders.

When the police were lucky enough to detain the great criminal, they simply could not show him anything other than tax evasion. However, in the end, Al Capone still ended up behind bars: he was in the famous Alcatraz prison, from where he came out seven years later with a fatal illness and soon died.

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Bernardo Provenzano

Bernardo Provenzano, a native of a small village that is located on, was simply destined to become one of the members of the group of the same name. Already in his youth, he got into the Corleone clan, and after a couple of years he already killed several people and turned a lot of illegal deals. For 10 years, the name Provenzano hung in police stations at the Wanted stand, but the local carabinieri did not even try to find this dangerous criminal. Meanwhile, he continued to move up the career ladder and gain authority for himself. It was rumored that Provenzano for some time controlled the entire illegal business in Palermo, from the sale of drugs to prostitution. He was known for his intransigence and stubbornness, for which he received the nickname Bulldozer.

Many years later, the police managed to detain the criminal: they saw a thin old man in ordinary jeans and a T-shirt. Provenzano will spend the rest of his days in prison.

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Albert Anastasia

Like many of his other colleagues, Albert Anastasia was born in sunny Italy (the city of Tropea,), but soon after birth he migrated with his parents to America. The first time he went to prison was when he was a teenager, when he killed a longshoreman in Brooklyn. He was sentenced to several years, but after some time the main witness in the Anastasia case died under mysterious circumstances, and the criminal himself was released.

Albert Anastasia has made a name for himself as one of America's most ruthless killers.

He was in the Masseria gang, but over time he went over to the side of his boss's competitors, and after a couple of years he was completely present at the murder of his former boss. After that, Anastasia became the head of a gang of highly professional killers "Murder Inc.", the Gambino clan. Police say the group was involved in at least 400 deaths. The killer himself was killed by order of one of the American mafiosi.

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, and in 1866 it was used by the British consul in Sicily, who reported to the leadership about "... juntas elected by the mafia (Spanish.junta- "assembly, committee, association"), which participate in the income of workers, maintain contacts with criminals.

The organization referred to by the consul has a historical origin. The word most likely has Arabic roots: mu'afah. This term has many meanings: protection, skill, skill, safety, efficiency.

But there is also a more beautiful version of the origin. During the uprising of March 30, 1282, which broke out in Sicily and went down in history under the name "Sicilian Vespers", the cry was born M orte a lla F rancia, I waist a nela!" ("Death to France, breathe, Italy!"). The initial letters of this slogan make up the word MAFIA.

It is even more difficult to identify the foundations of the organization. According to many historians, the seed from which this criminal organization sprang was sown as early as the 12th century, when secret associations appeared against the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation. (Sacrum Romanorum Imperium Nationis Germaniae).

Some sources point to the Bourbon dynasty, who used the services of former robbers to patrol remote parts of the interior of the island. Those, in turn, quickly began to take bribes, turning a blind eye to some points.

Many experts also start from the foundation of the so-called gabellotti organization, which collected tribute for the state or acted as intermediaries between peasants and landowners.

They got rich quickly enough, intimidating the former and acting as representatives of the others. Gabelloti realizing what power fell into their hands, created a separate caste, the basis of which was a code of honor and a semi-official structure.

All these theories have one common element: a huge gulf that from time immemorial separated the Sicilians from the representatives of the "foreign" power.

No one anywhere felt so helpless and humiliated as a rootless Sicilian peasant forced to hard labor in local latifundia - large feudal estates owned by forever absent rulers who are residents of Naples or Palermo. The system of latifundia was invented in ancient Rome and lasted until the Second World War. As you can see, where the usual system of power and justice could not cope, the issue of the emergence of local judges - the so-called amici (friends) or uomini d`onore (people of honor) - was only a matter of time.

In the book "Journey to Sicily and Malta"(Viaggio in Sicilia e a Malta) English traveler and writer Brydone Patrick (1743-1818) in 1773 posted the following comment:

“These banditti are the most respected people on the island, with the noblest and most romantic moods, which are taken as a matter of honor; they show each other their respect, as well as to everyone they have ever sworn allegiance to; moreover, they show the most unshakable fidelity. Administrative and judicial officials are often required to protect them, and even please them. These banditti are also known to be full of determination and desperation. So vengeful that they will not hesitate to kill anyone who is even suspected of provocations.

These words can be repeated 200 years later.

What most people don't know, however, is that Italy once already came close to defeating this organization. During his reign, the legendary head of the police, Cesare Morti, resorted to brutal and illegal methods in the fight against the mafia. And if not for the second world war, perhaps he would have managed to destroy it forever. Ironically, the American intervention evened out the forces. In preparing for the landing of soldiers in Sicily, they had only one reliable source of intelligence - the mafia.

She was contacted through Italian-American gangsters such as Lucky Luciano.

I, in turn, would like to quote an excerpt from the book "The Great Godfather" by Vito Bruschini:

“In an atmosphere of social and political collapse, the mafia, with the support of allies, began to regain control over the territory of the island and the distribution of basic foodstuffs.

In Palermo, food was imported on the basis that four hundred and fifty thousand people live in the city. In fact, with the start of the bombing of the city, two-thirds of the inhabitants preferred to leave for the countryside, where everyone had relatives or acquaintances. So, after the products were distributed according to the cards among the residents remaining in the city, most of the food went to the "black market".

Gathering his trusted friends together, Don Calo explained to them that helping agents of the American secret services would almost certainly guarantee freedom of action on the island at the end of the war. That is why you should cooperate with your American friends in all actions, including sabotage against German and Italian troops.

This began to happen with the beginning of spring. At the Nazi military base where the Goering tank brigade was stationed, the barrels of gas oil were replaced with barrels filled with water mixed with oil. Tanks filled with this mixture burned out engines, and combat vehicles were stuck in repair shops for a long time. The navy also constantly suffered from sabotage: the ships were forced to remain in the port due to various damages.

After occupying the island, the alliance strengthened the mafia, often appointing important members to the leadership of the military government. Of the 66 Sicilian cities, 62 were entrusted to persons of criminal origin. The mafia was further flourished by the post-war construction boom in Italy, which became the source of huge fortunes for the mafia, which invested laundered money in legal businesses or multiplied it with drugs that forever changed the nature of the mafia.
The police have won several battles in recent years. The biggest success was the arrest in 2006 of the godfather Bernardo Provenzano (Bernardo Provenzano). Convicted in absentia of more than a dozen murders, the 73-year-old mobster was caught in a hideout on a Sicilian farm.

Despite some judicial successes, the Mafia's rout is unlikely. Mainly because it is already very firmly integrated with the Italian economy. It's not without reason that the Italians call the mafia la piovra - octopus.

In my personal experience and opinion, I am sure that the mafia exists and will exist. Once I asked my good friend Mario, who worked for 30 years in Sicilian, if it exists. To which a series of emotional statements was received that it does not exist, it has long been defeated, these are all fictions of journalists, writers and so on.

Well, taking into account my experience of studying and interest in this issue, as well as the statements of many of my Italian friends to the contrary, I am even more convinced and respect this structure.

I hope the following quotes from my favorite books by writers Mario Puzo and Vito Bruschini will clarify the concept of the mafia for you:

“Once in the south of Italy (in particular, in Sicily), the one who talked too much, the mafiosi could kill and cut off the tongue. So that everyone knows what he was punished for. The flower on the corpse hinted at love affairs. The mafia has always killed for some misdeed.

During the period of rampant terrorism in Italy, one Sicilian boasted that terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of innocent people were excluded on his island (for example, bombs in a cafe, at a train station, etc.). Not like in mainland Italy! “With us,” he said, “the mafia will immediately find the culprit and he will not be greeted.”

“In the neighboring province of Cinesi, perhaps the largest and poorest in Sicily, a small village clan was led by a cruel, fearless bandit named Fissolini. In his village, he had absolute power and had little to no contact with the other clans of the island. He had no idea what power don Aprile had, he could not imagine that this power could reach even his godforsaken village. He decided to kidnap Don Aprile and collect a ransom for him. He, of course, understood that he was violating one of the unwritten laws: by kidnapping Don Aprile, he invaded the territory of another family, but he reasoned that for the sake of such a rich prey it was worth the risk.

Cosca, family, clan,- the base cell of the mafia and usually consists of blood relatives. Law-abiding citizens, for example, lawyers or doctors, do not break, but rather strengthen ties with their clan, because it defends their interests. Each clan is a closed organizational structure, but it can ally with a stronger and more influential clan. The whole set of clans is usually called the mafia. But she does not have a single leader or commander.

Each clan usually specializes in a certain area in a certain territory. One controls the price of water and prevents the government from building dams that could lower the price. In a certain sense, this clan destroys the state monopoly on power. Another may control the market for food and essential goods. At that time, the cosca Clericuzio from Palermo were considered the most powerful in Sicily, this clan crushed all new construction on the island, and the cosca Corleone from Corleone, who controlled many Roman politicians and ensured the transportation of drugs around the world. There were also such greedy clans that took money from romantic youths for the right to sing under the balconies of their loved ones.

All clans regulated crime. They did not tolerate those who robbed respectable citizens who honestly gave their clan a share of the income.

Both robbers and rapists faced the same punishment - death. And, of course, all the clans could not stand adultery. In such cases, both the man and the woman were executed. No one had any questions.

Cosca Fissolini survived from bread to water. This clan controlled the sale of holy icons, charged farmers for guarding their flocks, and kidnapped rich people who lost their vigilance.

And when Don Aprile and little Astorre walked unhurriedly along the village street, two army trucks with Fissolini, who had no idea who he raised his hand to, and his people stopped nearby in a screech of brakes ... "

From the book "Omerta" by Mario Puzo.

"Omerta is a Sicilian code of honor that forbids anyone from reporting crimes that people who have aroused suspicion may have committed."

“A don was at the head of the Corleone family clan, he directed all the activities of the family, determined its policy. Three layers, three buffers separated the don from those who carried out his will, directly carried out his orders. Thus, no trail could lead to the summit. On one condition. If he does not betray the consigliori. On that Sunday, Don Corleone gave detailed instructions early in the morning on what to do with the two youths who had maimed Amerigo Bonasera's daughter. But he gave these orders to Tom Haigen, face to face. In the afternoon, Hagen - also alone, without witnesses - conveyed these instructions to Clemenza. Clemenza, in turn, ordered Paulie Gatto to carry out the order. Paulie Gatto had to pick the right people and do exactly what he was told. Neither Paulie Gato nor his people will know what caused this order, from whom it originally comes.

To establish that the don was involved, every link in this chain must be unreliable - this has never happened before, but what is the guarantee that this will not happen? However, in this case, the remedy was provided. One link, the key one, must disappear.

Besides, consigliori was really what the word means. That is, the Don's adviser, his first assistant, his second head. And also - the most faithful companion and closest friend. It was he who drove the don's car during important business trips, he left the meeting for fresh cigars for the don, for coffee and sandwiches. He knew everything or almost everything that the don knew, everything down to the last cell in the power structure. Only he, the only one in the world, had the opportunity, if desired, to crush the don.

But the case of a consigliori betraying his don has never happened before, at least in the memory of one of the influential Sicilian clans that settled in America. It would be an option without a future.

On the other hand, every consigliori knew that faithful service would bring him wealth, power and honor. And trouble will strike, the well-being of his wife and children will be taken care of no worse than if he himself were alive and well and free. But this is when serving faithfully.

“In this ancient garden, Michael was exposed to the roots that gave birth to people like his father. He learned that the original word "mafia" meant "refuge".

Then it became the name of a secret organization that arose to confront the rulers who for hundreds of years suppressed this country and its people. History does not know a region that would have been subjected to such brutal violence. Like a tornado, the Inquisition walked around the island, not making out who was poor and who was rich. With an iron hand, noble landowners and princes of the Catholic Church conquered the peasants and shepherds of their power.

The instrument of this power was the police, identified by the people with the rulers to such an extent that.

Looking for ways to survive under the merciless heel of autocracy, tormented people have learned to never show resentment and anger. Never utter a word of threat, because in response to the threat, ahead of its execution, punishment will immediately follow. Do not forget that society is your enemy and if you want to get even with it for injustice, you need to go to the secret rebels, to the mafia.

This mafia, gaining strength, introduced omerta in Sicily - mutual responsibility, a law that commands silence. In the countryside, a passer-by or a traveler who asks for directions to the nearest town simply will not be honored with an answer.

For a mafia member, the greatest of crimes is to tell the police, for example, who shot him. Or hurt him. Omerta has become a religion for the people. A woman whose husband was killed will not tell the policeman the name of the killer, the name of the one who tortured her child, raped her daughter. People knew that you would not expect justice from the authorities, and they followed her to the mafia intercessor. »

The Godfather, Mario Puzo

5 best books about the Italian mafia

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The world has long been fighting the state against criminal clans, but the mafia is still alive. Currently, there are many criminal gangs, each of which has its own boss and mastermind. Criminal authorities often feel unpunished and create real criminal empires, intimidating civilians and government officials. They live by their own laws, the violation of which often leads to death. This article presents 10 famous mafiosi who really left a noticeable mark on the history of the mafia.

1. Al Capone

Al Capone was a legend in the underworld of the 30s and 40s. of the last century and is still considered the most famous mafia in history. The authoritative Al Capone inspired fear in everyone, including the government. This American gangster of Italian origin developed a gambling business, was engaged in bootlegging, racketeering, and drugs. It was he who introduced the concept of racketeering.

When the family moved to the US in search of a better life, he had to work hard. He worked in a pharmacy and a bowling alley, and even in a candy store. However, Al Capone was attracted to the nocturnal lifestyle. At 19, while working at a pool club, he made a cheeky comment about the wife of felon Frank Galuccio. After the ensuing fight and stabbing, he was left with a scar on his left cheek. Daring Al Capone learned to skillfully handle knives and was invited to the "Gang of Five Trunks". Known for his brutality in the massacre of competitors, he organized the Massacre on Valentine's Day, when, on his orders, seven tough mafiosi from the Bugs Moran group were shot dead.
His cunning helped him get out and avoid punishment for his crimes. The only thing he was jailed for was tax evasion. After leaving prison, where he spent 5 years, his health was undermined. He contracted syphilis from one of the prostitutes and died at the age of 48.

2. Lucky Luciano

Charles Luciano, born in Sicily, moved with his family to America in search of a decent life. Over time, he became a symbol of crime and one of the toughest gangsters in history. Since childhood, street punks have become a comfortable environment for him. He actively distributed drugs and at the age of 18 he went to prison. During the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, he was a member of the Gang of Four and was involved in the smuggling of alcohol. He was a poor immigrant, like his friends, and ended up making millions of dollars in crime. Lucky organized a group of bootleggers, the so-called "Big Seven" and defended it from the authorities.

Later, he became the leader of the Cosa Nostra and controlled all areas of activity in the criminal environment. Maranzano's gangsters tried to find out where he was hiding drugs and for this they tricked him into taking him to the highway, where they tortured, cut and beat him. Luciano kept the secret. The bloody body with no signs of life was thrown to the side of the road and after 8 hours it was found by a police patrol. In the hospital, he received 60 stitches and saved his life. After that, they began to call him Lucky. (Lucky).

3. Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar is the most famous brutal Colombian drug lord. He created a real drug empire and established the supply of cocaine around the world on a huge scale. The young Escobar grew up in the poor areas of Medellin and began his illegal activities by stealing tombstones and reselling them to resellers with erased inscriptions. In addition, he sought to earn easy money on the sale of drugs and cigarettes, as well as forging lottery tickets. Later, theft of expensive cars, racketeering, robberies and kidnappings were added to the scope of criminal activity.

At 22, Escobar has already become a famous authority in poor neighborhoods. The poor supported him as he built cheap housing for them. Becoming the head of a drug cartel, he earned billions. In 1989, his fortune was more than 15 billion. During his criminal activities, he was involved in the murders of more than a thousand policemen, journalists, several hundred judges and prosecutors, various officials.

4. John Gotti

John Gotti was known to everyone in New York. He was called the "Teflon Don", because all the accusations miraculously flew away from him, leaving him unstained. This was a very quirky mobster who worked his way from the bottom to the very top of the Gambino family. Due to his bright and elegant style, he also received the nickname "Elegant Don". During the management of the family, he was engaged in typical criminal cases: racketeering, theft, carjacking, murders. The right hand of the boss in all crimes has always been his friend Salvatore Gravano. In the end, this was a fatal mistake for John Gotti. In 1992, Salvatore began to cooperate with the FBI, testified against Gotti and sent him to prison for life. In 2002, John Gotti died in prison from throat cancer.

5. Carlo Gambino

Gambino is a Sicilian gangster who led one of the most powerful crime families in America and led it until his death. As a teenager, he began to steal and engage in extortion. Later switched to bootlegging. When he became the boss of the Gambino family, he made it the richest and most powerful by controlling such lucrative properties as the state port and airport. During its dawn of power, the Gambino criminal group consisted of more than 40 teams, and controlled the major cities of America (New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and others). Gambino did not welcome drug dealing by members of his group, as he considered it a dangerous business that attracted a lot of attention.

6. Meir Lansky

Meir Lansky is a Jew born in Belarus. At the age of 9 he moved with his family to New York. From childhood, he became friends with Charles "Lucky" Luciano, which predetermined his fate. For decades, Meir Lansky has been one of America's most important crime bosses. During Prohibition in America, he was involved in the illegal transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. Later, the "National Crime Syndicate" was created and a network of underground bars and bookmakers was opened. For many years, Meir Lansky developed a gambling empire in the United States. In the end, tired of the constant supervision of the police, he leaves for Israel on a visa for 2 years. The FBI wanted him extradited. At the expiration of the visa, he wants to move to another state, but no one accepts him. He returns to the US, where he is awaiting trial. The charges were dropped, but the passport was cancelled. In recent years, he lived in Miami and died in a hospital from cancer.

7. Joseph Bonanno

This mafioso occupied a special place in the criminal world of America. At the age of 15, the Sicilian boy was left an orphan. Illegally moved to the United States, where he quickly joined the criminal circles. Created and ran the powerful Bonanno crime family for 30 years. Over time, he began to be called "Banana Joe". Having achieved the status of the richest mafioso in history, he voluntarily retired. He wanted to live the rest of his life in peace in his own luxurious mansion. For a while, he was forgotten by everyone. But the release of the autobiography was an unprecedented act for the mafiosi and again riveted attention to him. They even put him in jail for a year. Joseph Bonanno died at 97, surrounded by relatives.

8. Alberto Anastasia

Albert Anastasia was called the head of the Gambino, one of the 5 mafia clans. He was nicknamed the Chief Executioner because his faction Murder, Inc. was responsible for over 600 deaths. He hasn't been in jail for any of them. When a case was brought against him, it was not clear where the main witnesses for the prosecution disappeared. Alberto Anastasia liked to get rid of witnesses. He called Lucky Luciano his teacher and was devoted to him. Anastasia carried out assassinations of the leaders of other criminal groups on Lucky's order. However, in 1957, Albert Anastasia himself was killed in a barbershop by order of his competitors.

9. Vincent Gigante

Vincent Gigante is a well-known authority among mafiosi who controlled crime in New York and other major American cities. He left school in the 9th grade and switched to boxing. He got into a criminal group at the age of 17. Since then, his ascent in the underworld began. First he became a godfather, and then a consoler (adviser). Since 1981, he became the leader of the Genovese family. Vincent was nicknamed "The Nutty Boss" and "King of Pajamas" for his inappropriate behavior and walking around New York in a bathrobe. It was a simulation of a mental disorder.
For 40 years he avoided prison by pretending to be crazy. In 1997, he was nevertheless sentenced to 12 years. Even while in prison, he continued to give instructions to members of the criminal gang through his son Vincent Esposito. In 2005, the mafioso died in prison from heart problems.

10. Heriberto Lazcano

For a long time, Heriberto Lazcano was on the list of wanted and most dangerous criminals in Mexico. From the age of 17 he served in the Mexican army and in a special squad to combat drug cartels. After a couple of years, he went over to the side of drug gangsters when he was recruited by the Gulf cartel. After a while, he became the leader of one of the largest and most authoritative drug cartels - Los Zetas. Due to his boundless cruelty against competitors, bloody murders against officials, public figures, police and civilians (including women and children), he was nicknamed the Executioner. More than 47,000 people died as a result of massacres. When Heriberto Lazcano was assassinated in 2012, all of Mexico breathed a sigh of relief.