Turning a blind eye : The protected life of a mafia boss

Salvatore ''Toto'' Riina

For a large chunk of his life, Mafia boss Salvatore ''Toto'' Riina was on the run.  The unrepentant ''boss of all bosses'' of the Sicilian Mafia eventually died last month aged 87.  He had spent 24 years in an Italian jail for leaving a trail of blood and tears across the country.  He unleashed a war against law enforcement that claimed the lives of Italian prosecutors and police officers.

Maria Concetta Riina, his daughter, has been describing life on the run with her father.  Her television interview was apparently intended to remind viewers of state complicity with Cosa Nostra.  She said,
''I, my father, my mother and my brothers were always together while he was a fugitive.''

Ms Riina spoke at a satirical programme on one of Silvio Berlusconi's networks two days ago.


Maria Concetta, daughter of Salvatore “Toto” Riina, pays tribute to her late father
GUGLLIELMO MANGIAPANE/REUTERS



Ms Riina said that her family were constantly on the move.  She added, ''Despite everything we led normal lives.''

Salvaro Riina, accused of being responsible for more than 150 murders and wanted for more than two decades, walked around Palermo openly.  Ms Riina said that the family had often seen carabinieri roadblocks but were never stopped.

She went on to say that her family learnt of their breadwinner's arrest in 1993 from television.
''We packed our things, called a taxi and went to Corleone,'' she said.  Several mafia families come from the town.


Riina behind bars