ROME – Graziano Mesina, one of Italy’s most notorious criminals, died on Saturday at the age of 83, just one day after being released from prison due to severe illness. The former mobster, once a symbol of crime and jailbreaks in Italy, passed away from internal bleeding caused by cancer, according to Italian media sources.
Mesina had been serving a 24-year prison sentence in Milan since 2021 for international drug trafficking. He was granted a compassionate release on Friday due to his deteriorating health and was transferred to a hospital, where he died the following day.
Known for his daring and often bizarre escapes from custody, Mesina became a household name in Italy. Over his criminal career spanning several decades, he spent over 40 years behind bars for crimes ranging from attempted murder to kidnapping. His most legendary escapes include jumping from a moving train and disguising himself as a priest to evade capture. In 1970, he even attended a football match dressed as a woman in Cagliari.
Mesina’s criminal legacy also includes his role in negotiating the release of kidnapped child Farouk Kassam in Sardinia. His involvement in the case earned him a presidential pardon from the Italian president at the time. After his release, Mesina attempted to live a quiet life, working as a tour guide in Sardinia. However, in 2013, he was arrested again, this time for organizing a transnational drug trafficking ring, which ultimately led to the revocation of his pardon.
His death marks the end of a controversial figure in Italian criminal history—one who captured headlines as both a dangerous fugitive and a man seeking redemption.
For more stories on European crime and justice, visit LiveWorldUpdates.com.
#GrazianoMesina #ItalyCrimeNews #OrganizedCrime #LiveWorldUpdates