Italy to start biggest mafia trial in 3 decades with 355 alleged 'Ndrangheta members

Italy will begin trial on Wednesday to prosecute hundreds of members of country's biggest organised crime syndicate kwn as 'Ndrangheta group. trial is expected to go on for two years, where 355 suspected members of mafia group will stand charges of murder, extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering. According to BBC, more than 900 witnesses are expected to testify against suspected members of 'Ndrangheta group. 

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According to report, a building in sourn region of Calabria, which is epicentre of crime for armed 'Ndrangheta group, has been converted into a fortified courtroom to conduct trial of all alleged members of mafia group. building earlier operated as a call centre in city. This is being dubbed as one of largest mafia trials in Italy since 1980s. 

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Territory spans 4 continents 

According to Europol, 'Ndrangheta is one of largest and deadliest organised crime syndicates, t just in Italy but in world. A US diplomate had estimated in 2010 that group's earnings from its criminal activities contributed to at least 3 per cent in country's GDP. group is estimated to have made more than €53 billion in 2013. mafia group is involved in criminal activities in at least four continents with thousands of members. 

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Wednesday's trial is aimed at powerful Mancuso family, which controls a large part of mafia group. trial will also include several politicians, police officers, civil servants and or government officials, who are also accused of helping 'Ndrangheta group in some way or or. According to report, in a pre-trial hearing, it took judges over three hours to just read names of accused members. 

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(Im Credit: AP)