The founder and chairman of Italian car rental firm Sicily by Car has been assigned police protection after a series of violent incidents targeted his company.
Tommaso Dragotto, 88, was given a police escort following an early Thursday fire at one of the company's car depots in Palermo that destroyed 11 vehicles. Authorities described the blaze as the third deliberate arson attack suffered by the company within an 80-day period.
The firm has experienced other episodes of violence in recent months. In March, gunfire was reported at the entrance to one of the company's locations, an event cited alongside the arson incidents.
Dragotto told La Stampa that the succession of attacks forced the protective measure on him. "Three (arson) attacks in eighty days is really too much. I didn’t want an escort, because it changes your freedom, your movements, your daily life. They told me that I cannot refuse it," he said.
On the subject of criminal pressure, Dragotto said he has never paid protection money and would not do so if asked. "One thing should be clear: I have never paid, I will never pay, and I will not start now," he said.
Following the most recent arson, prosecutors with Palermo's anti-mafia unit and police arrested eight people. The suspects face charges that include extortion and attempted murder, with the allegations described as aggravated by the use of mafia methods.
The police protection and the arrests come amid heightened concern for the company after repeated targeted attacks on its assets and sites. Dragotto's acceptance of an escort, despite his objections, reflects the authorities' assessment of ongoing security risks tied to the episodes.
Details released indicate law enforcement is treating the incidents as serious criminal acts involving possible organized-crime methods; prosecutors have framed at least some of the charges under provisions that address mafia-style aggravation.
At this stage, Sicily by Car's founder is under protection and several suspects are in custody as legal processes move forward. The situation remains under active investigation by Palermo anti-mafia prosecutors and police.