Palermo, Italy – The Sicilian capital was brought to a standstill Monday as the funeral procession for Emanuele Rubino, a 36-year-old mobster linked to the Cosa Nostra mafia, forced businesses to close and drew crowds of supporters.
Shopkeepers and traders in the city's largest market expressed anger and frustration after being compelled to lower their shutters "in a sign of mourning" as Rubino's coffin was paraded through the streets. Supporters on scooters accompanied the casket, lighting fireworks and flares.
Rubino, who was known for extorting migrant business owners, had recently been transferred from prison to house arrest for medical reasons. He died earlier this month from health complications. He had been serving time for the attempted murder of Yusupha Susso, a Gambian migrant, in 2016.
The scenes sparked public outcry, with many taking to social media to denounce the event. One user on X questioned the absence of authorities and asked what message such a display sent to the city's residents. Another expressed disbelief, asking, "Was there no one to stop THE MOB BOSS'S FUNERAL?"
Palermo's Mayor Roberto Lagala condemned the procession, stating, "Our city cannot accept that entire areas of its city are behaving in a way that makes citizens feel they cannot live in safety and freedom." He added that police "immediately took action and prohibited the procession from continuing" once they were notified.
The Cosa Nostra, a powerful Sicilian crime syndicate, engages in activities such as extortion, smuggling, and gambling. The organization's notorious boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, died in 2024 after spending 30 years on the run.