Trapani: Historical mafia attacks on judge and police officer

The date of September 14 holds significant historical weight in the province of Trapani due to two separate mafia-related attacks targeting state officials.

In 1988, Judge Alberto Giacomelli was assassinated in the countryside near Misiliscemi. For years, the motive remained unclear due to investigations hampered by misinformation and false testimonies. It was eventually revealed through mafia collaborators that Giacomelli had been targeted because he signed a decree in 1985 resulting in the confiscation of property belonging to the Riina family.

Four years later, on September 14, 1992, a mafia commando attempted to assassinate Deputy Police Chief Rino Germanà on the coast of Mazara del Vallo. Unlike Giacomelli, Germanà survived the ambush, though he was wounded. The attack was linked to the efforts of high-profile mafia figures including Matteo Messina Denaro, Leoluca Bagarella, and Giuseppe Graviano.