[MSN] Italy. Anti-Mafia policeman accused over art theft

[MSN]

Anti-Mafia policeman accused over art theft
By Malcolm Moore
Last Updated: 1:55am GMT 06/03/2008

A leading policeman in Italy's anti-Mafia unit has said he will hand back his bravery medals after being accused of extortion and trafficking in stolen art.
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Marshal Riccardo Ravera was involved in the capture of Salvatore Riina, one of the bloodiest godfathers in the Mafia, in 1993.

However, his career nosedived and he was transferred to the art protection squad in Turin.

Investigators believe he may have played a role in the theft of art valued at more than £6 million from the Palazzo di Caccia di Stupinigi, the former summer residence of Italy's royal family, in 2004.

The art was recovered and Ravera was awarded a medal for his role.

However, prosecutors are suspicious that 42 pieces were returned when only 34 were declared missing.

Ravera said yesterday that he had "never taken a single cent of dirty money".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/