A total of 258 properties confiscated from the Sicilian Mafia are to be handed over to the city government of Palermo by the end of 2007, according to an agreement reached between Italy's economy ministry, the state property agency Agenzia del Demanio and the city.
A total of 258 properties confiscated from the Sicilian Mafia are to be handed over to the city government of Palermo by the end of 2007, according to an agreement reached between Italy's economy ministry, the state property agency Agenzia del Demanio and the city.
Agenzia del Demanio said the objective of the accord was to guarantee streamlined procedures for the transfer of confiscated assets, which could then be used more quickly for social or institutional objectives. It noted properties confiscated from organised crime frequently come with a number of problems, including illegal occupancy and difficulties identifying the real owner. Nearly half of all properties confiscated by Italy’s government are located in Sicily and Palermo accounts for 45% of those confiscated in Sicily.
The agreement follows similar ones with the municipalities of Rome and Reggio Calabria, where respectively 57 and 48 properties confiscated from organised crime were returned to local authorities. Agenzia del Demanio said that agreements of this nature are expected to be signed with a number of other municipalities in the near future.