Vincenzo La Porta: How an Italian legal’s love of soccer led to his arrest after decade on run

One of Italy’s 100 most harmful fugitives has been captured after 11 years – after watching a Napoli match in a Greek restaurant.

Vincenzo La Porta had been on the run for 11 years, and was snapped in Corfu celebrating on a balcony after his hometown crew gained the Serie A championship a number of weeks in the past.

Investigators noticed him among the many followers – and headed to the island to tail the 60-year-old.

Officers managed to dam him taking place a avenue on a motor scooter.

“Betraying him was his passion for soccer and for the Napoli team,” police said in a statement. “With the championship victory, La Porta could not resist celebrating.”

Closely linked to the Naples-based Camorra organised crime gang, La Porta has been convicted in his absence of legal affiliation, tax evasion and fraud.

Appearing earlier than a prosecutor on Saturday, he was ordered to be held in jail till a panel of enchantment court docket judges guidelines on an extradition request from Italy.

Italian authorities need him to be flown again so he can serve a 14-year jail sentence.

La Porta was captured close to the restaurant the place he had reportedly been working as a chef. His lawyer stated he has began a brand new household in Greece and doesn’t wish to be extradited.

“He was sentenced long ago for tax offences,” Athanassios Giannakouris stated.

“He has started a new family in Greece … he has a nine-year-old boy and is working as a cook to get by. He suffers from heart ailments. If he’s extradited, he and his family will be ruined.”

Police in Italy had been monitoring La Porta’s exercise for months, ready for him to make a false transfer that will give them perception into his whereabouts.