Don Antonio Coluccia insulted and threatened during a walk for legality in the Quarticciolo

Insulted and threatened by about ten people during a walk for legality in Quarticciolo, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Rome that has long been at the center of a strong crackdown by the police against drug dealing. The target of those sentences was Don Antonio Coluccia, already targeted in the past in similar circumstances in other 'difficult' areas of the city.

Last night the anti-drug priest, who is under guard, was on the street at the initiative for legality in which Andrea Stroppa, Elon Musk's representative in Italy, also participated, when he was approached by a group of people who began to insult him. The police, who intervened on the spot, identified and reported three Tunisian citizens on charges of aggravated threats.

An episode that triggered political solidarity.

The deputy prime minister and leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, speaks of "shameful and unacceptable intimidation against a courageous priest, who has been on the front line against drugs and crime for years".

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is along the same lines: "Cowardly threats - he says - are unacceptable and cannot intimidate those who choose to be on the side of legality and the weakest every day" he underlines. While the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida assures: "The State is there and will not retreat in the face of those who think of imposing fear and violence". Firm condemnation for "intimidation" by the President of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana. Vice President Fabio Rampelli, however, sends a "hug of solidarity" to Don Coluccia who he defines as a "standard against drug dealing, the exploitation of prostitution, the recruitment of young people by organized crime". Mayor Roberto Gualtieri also intervened and, expressing closeness to the priest, thanks him "for the courage with which he fights against drug dealing every day" and underlines: "Rome supports his commitment and stands alongside the women and men of the police who work for legality".

The investigations by the Carabinieri will now continue to give a face and a name to the other members of the group. On Saturday, the same Carabinieri soldiers had been involved in a massive check in the Quarticciolo which had led to eleven arrests in addition to the seizure of a thousand doses of drugs (including crack, cocaine and hashish) and around 2000 euros in cash believed to be the proceeds of illicit activities.

An extraordinary operation that lasted an entire day with 'pincer closures' of the access points to the drug dealing squares which also ended with the removal of 20 cubic meters of waste, including 10 chairs used by pushers to patrol the neighbourhood.