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Italy has made headlines with a major Chinese gangland case in Prato. The story began in 2010 after two people were hacked to death and sparked a major investigation into a network that allegedly controls the European textile industry. But the case has become a game of sabotage. Documents are disappearing and translators are running away. Prosecutor Tescaroli suspects the hands of people protecting the dirty trade.
Prato is known as the European textile hub and more than seven thousand companies are based there. More than half are Chinese-owned and the city has become the fast fashion capital. But behind the scenes there is violence, bombings and fires. Since 2024 there have been more than sixteen attacks in Italy, France and Spain. This is a war of gangs from Zhejiang and Fujian fighting for hangers and transportation.
The success of Italian mafias like Cosa Nostra was due to strict laws but for Chinese gangs things are difficult. Boss Zhang Naizhong fled back to China and other suspects have not yet been prosecuted. Many workers suffer from long hours without contracts and companies constantly change names to avoid taxes. Police say millions of euros are being siphoned off every week through secret channels.
Now Tescaroli wants the court to recognize the gangs as mafia to gain more power, but without Chinese cooperation and without reliable interpreters, the case remains languishing. A new hearing is scheduled for May but it is uncertain whether it will move forward.
source: asahi
Prato is known as the European textile hub and more than seven thousand companies are based there. More than half are Chinese-owned and the city has become the fast fashion capital. But behind the scenes there is violence, bombings and fires. Since 2024 there have been more than sixteen attacks in Italy, France and Spain. This is a war of gangs from Zhejiang and Fujian fighting for hangers and transportation.
The success of Italian mafias like Cosa Nostra was due to strict laws but for Chinese gangs things are difficult. Boss Zhang Naizhong fled back to China and other suspects have not yet been prosecuted. Many workers suffer from long hours without contracts and companies constantly change names to avoid taxes. Police say millions of euros are being siphoned off every week through secret channels.
Now Tescaroli wants the court to recognize the gangs as mafia to gain more power, but without Chinese cooperation and without reliable interpreters, the case remains languishing. A new hearing is scheduled for May but it is uncertain whether it will move forward.
source: asahi