Messina Denaro sisters, court orders imprisonment for aiding and abetting
Palermo's Court of Review has ordered the preventive detention of Giovanna and Bice Messina Denaro, sisters of the late mafia boss Matteo. They are accused of aiding and abetting and procuring breach of sentence.
Detention ordered by Court of Review for Giovanna and Bice Messina Denaro
Palermo's Court of Review has upheld the Prosecutor's appeal and ordered imprisonment for Giovanna and Bice Messina Denaro, sisters of the late mafia boss Matteo, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca. The two women are under investigation for aggravated aiding and abetting and procuring breach of sentence; investigators from the Anti-Mafia District Directorate contend that they would have helped their brother evade capture.
The Court of Review's decision overturns the previous order from the judge for preliminary investigations, who, while considering the evidence of guilt serious, had refused arrest citing an absence of precautionary requirements. The prosecutors had originally also contested an association with organised crime against the two sisters. The Court of Review's order is not immediately enforceable; in the event of an appeal, the Court of Cassation will rule on the matter.
The Messina Denaro family remains at the centre of numerous judicial proceedings. Rosalia Messina Denaro is currently detained and sentenced to 14 years for association with organised crime. Patrizia, sister of those under investigation, was released in July 2025 after serving a sentence of 14 and a half years; brother Salvatore is free. Francesco Guttadauro, son of Rosalia, remains in prison, whilst his father Filippo, husband of the woman, is serving "white life sentence". Gaspare Como, husband of Bice, is detained with a 22-year sentence for mafia currently undergoing sentence redetermination at the Court of Cassation. Rosario Allegra, husband of Giovanna Messina Denaro, died in prison; Vincenzo Panicola, husband of Patrizia, has already completed his sentence.
Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca