The plaque dedicated to judge Antonino Scopelliti, murdered on 9 August 1991 in Piale, a hamlet of Villa San Giovanni, located in the square named after him in Polistena, was torn up and shattered.
The mayor of Polistena, Michele Tripodi, made this known, defining “all this is shameful and unacceptable!”.
“Already for the first time – added the mayor in a note – the Administration had renewed the plaque and the post that supported it after it was damaged. However, we are once again witnessing an unworthy act that should not be confused with simple vandalism. Coincidentally, always in the same square and always in contempt of the memory of judge Scopelliti”.
“It is an infamous and cowardly gesture – states Tripodi – which offends the civil work of a servant of the State murdered by the mafia and the values of legality, justice and democracy that our community has chosen to defend and promote every day. The memory is not erased with a deplorable act, but is strengthened every time a community reacts with dignity, unity and determination. Polistena has made the fight against the mafia and the culture of legality a precise choice, which it will continue to carry forward with greater conviction. It is unfortunate that even on these issues some seek daily inspiration to attack the municipal administration through various forms of profiteering. The fight against the mafia is clearly carried out far from speculation, complicity and hypocrisy”.
“The plaque will be restored shortly – concluded the mayor – and on behalf of the municipal administration we express the strongest indignation and condemnation for this episode and we renew the appeal to all citizens so that Polistena continues to be a city that has already chosen to be on only one side, that of legality, anti-mafia and honest people”.