Ragusa, facilitation of clandestine entry of non-EU citizens into national territory: 6 people arrested.

In the early hours of the morning, The Ragusa State Police has executed six precautionary measures in execution of the implementing orders issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge of the Court of Ragusa at the request of the Ordinary Prosecutor's Office.

The laborious and painstaking investigation activity, launched by the Flying Squad policemen in close collaboration with the Judicial Authority, made it possible to identify a assistance center for foreigners located in Ragusa, managed by two of the recipients of the precautionary measures which, in exchange for the payment of large sums of money, offered foreigners – mainly of Tunisian nationality – a series of homes in the historic center of the city to be used for the sole purpose of obtaining registered residence, preparatory to the presentation of applications for the issue and/or renewal of the residence permit or even for family reunification. The investigation, corroborated by numerous observation services, led thirteen houses that were occupied by foreigners were brought to light only on the occasion of checks by two municipal operators, who, in exchange for the payment of money, failed to carry out the verification, limiting themselves to mild and superficial checks, subsequently communicating to the registry office that the check had been passed, by virtue of which the registered residence in the Municipality of Ragusa was subsequently granted. During the activity carried out, a central role was played by one of the arrested who not only performed the function of maintaining close contact with the two municipal operators but also that of accompanying and directing the foreigners to the homes - unknown to them - in which they had requested to establish their residence and to have them detained for the time strictly necessary for the operator's check.

After the ritual formalities, three of the recipients of the measures, one of whom is a woman, were subjected to the precautionary measure of house arrest, another woman was subjected to the obligation to reside in the Municipality of Ragusa while the two municipal workers were suspended from exercising a public office or service.