Watan-In a bizarre tale unfolding within the Italian courts, details reported by the British newspaper “The Guardian” reveal that Italian mafia leader Rafaelle Imperiali is considering surrendering his island in Dubai in exchange for a reduction in his sentence before the judiciary.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the 49-year-old Imperiali is part of a group of 20 individuals at the center of a trial linked to international drug trafficking.
Imperiali reportedly began his criminal career in a cafe in Amsterdam before rising through the ranks to become one of the leaders of a European cartel alliance, collaborating with criminals from Ireland, the Netherlands, and even Bosnia.
Facing charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and the formation of a criminal gang, Imperiali, if convicted, could potentially face a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
Imperiali hopes that his gesture of relinquishing the island, valued at a minimum of 60 million euros, will help mitigate the potential prison sentence against him.
Imperiali’s proposal to surrender his island in Dubai represents an unprecedented move by a member of the Italian mafia, possibly indicating a willingness to cooperate with Italian authorities in easing his punishment.
If Imperiali succeeds in reaching an agreement with Italian authorities, he may provide valuable information about the activities of the Italian mafia abroad.
Hiding in Dubai
Imperiali has been on the run since 2016, concealing himself in the UAE, where he acquired an island named “Taiwan.” This island is part of the artificial archipelago constructed a few kilometers off the coast of Dubai.
Living a luxurious lifestyle during his stay in the Gulf state, Imperiali spent over 400,000 euros monthly. He earned the moniker “Van Gogh Boss” after briefly possessing two stolen paintings by Van Gogh.
After his arrest in 2021, Imperiali was extradited to Italy in 2022 for trial. Since then, he has been providing information about his associates to the authorities.
Prosecutor Maurizio De stated, “It is clear that Imperiali seeks reductions in sentences… We are evaluating the accuracy of his statements, but there seems to be no doubt about their validity.”
The prosecutor clarified that it is unclear whether the alleged transfer of ownership of the island in Dubai to the Italian state would result in a reduced sentence.