Key facts
- Tommaso Dragotto, founder of Sicily by Car, is under police protection.
- A car depot in Palermo was set ablaze, destroying 11 vehicles.
- Eight people have been arrested on charges including extortion and attempted murder.
- The arrests are linked to mafia methods, according to authorities.
- Dragotto stated he has never paid protection money and will not start now.
Tommaso Dragotto, the founder and chairman of Italian car rental company Sicily by Car, has been placed under police protection following a series of attacks targeting his business. The decision came after an arson incident early Thursday morning at a company car depot in Palermo, which destroyed 11 vehicles. This marks the third arson attack in 80 days, with previous incidents including gunshots fired at a company site in March.
Dragotto stated that the frequency of attacks was excessive and that he had been compelled to accept a police escort, which he felt impacted his freedom. He emphasized that he has never paid protection money to the mafia and would refuse any such demands. Following the latest attack, Palermo's anti-mafia authorities arrested eight individuals on charges of extortion and attempted murder, with the alleged use of mafia methods. The Cosa Nostra, Sicily's mafia, though diminished in recent decades, remains a significant organization. Palermo's mayor, Roberto Lagalla, noted a worrying increase in intimidation and violence against local businesses and citizens.