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Tue, Nov 05, 2024 | Jumada al-Awwal 3, 1446 | DXB
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On the run for 11 years, fugitive's love for football gives him away
The police recognised him in a photo taken outside a restaurant celebrating a historic win by his football team
Napoli players celebrate on the pitch after winning Serie A. — Reuters
A fugitive on Italy's most-wanted list has been caught in Greece after he was snapped celebrating a historic win by his football team, Italian police said Saturday.
Vincenzo La Porta, 60, had been on the run for 11 years, and is "considered to have close ties" to the Camorra organised crime organisation in the southern Italian city of Naples, a police statement said.
He was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison for his role in a group skilled in tax evasion and fraud.
Police in Naples said they "never gave up" (searching for him) and "waited for him to make a misstep".
"Then they found him, on the Greek island of Corfu. What betrayed him was his passion for football and for Napoli", police said.
After 33 years of waiting, Napoli in May won its first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona.
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"La Porta could not help but celebrate. The police recognised him in a photo taken outside a restaurant," in which the fugitive could be seen holding aloft a scarf in the team's white and blue colours.
He was wearing a baseball cap, but investigators were sure they had their man. With help from their Greek colleagues, police began tailing La Porta.
He was then stopped as he rode his scooter, and arrested. Greek police said the arrest took place on Friday.
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