Salvatore De Luca hearing sparks political and legal conflict in Italy

The recent hearing of Caltanissetta prosecutor Salvatore De Luca before the Parliamentary Antimafia Commission has triggered significant political friction and legal disputes regarding investigations into the Via D’Amelio massacre.

Political parties have responded with diverging interpretations of the proceedings. The Five Star Movement (M5S) issued a sharp critique, accusing De Luca of presenting false reconstructions and omitting relevant wiretaps. In contrast, the Democratic Party (PD) maintained an institutional tone, focusing on the necessity of continuing investigations into the role of politics in historical mafia massacres without engaging in personal attacks.

Simultaneously, former magistrate Gioacchino Natoli has issued a formal rebuttal to De Luca. Natoli contested the prosecutor's evaluations, specifically regarding the 'mafia-contracts' dossier. Natoli highlighted that previous investigations into his alleged involvement with Cosa Nostra were dismissed by a judge, noting the lack of evidence for any illicit agreements. He characterized De Luca's statements as a series of media attacks despite the prior dismissal of charges against him.