Foggia court revises sentences in Decimabis extortion trial

The Court of Appeal has partially reformed the first-instance verdict in the ‘Decimabis’ trial involving a criminal organization in Foggia. Out of twelve defendants, three were acquitted, including Savino Ariostini, while nine received convictions with reduced sentences, totaling 75.5 years of imprisonment.

A significant development in the ruling is the release of alleged boss Vincenzo Antonio Pellegrino. Following a sentence reduction from 15 to 12.5 years, he has been released under house arrest after serving 10 years in detention. Three other defendants—Direse, Morelli, and Stramacchio—were also released under similar house arrest obligations.

The investigation detailed an extortion system that generated approximately 200,000 euros per month, supplemented by drug proceeds. The clan targeted builders and merchants, demanding monthly bribes ranging from 500 to 3,000 euros, with one-time payments reaching up to 50,000 euros. Investigators noted that the group relied on their criminal reputation and verbal threats rather than physical violence to compel payments. The prosecution's case was supported by wiretaps, payroll records, and testimony from seven collaborators of justice.