Police heroes cleared of aiding Mafia

PALERMO - An Italian court acquitted the head of Italy's secret services and a senior police official yesterday on charges related to the arrest of the Mafia boss of bosses, Salvatore "The Beast" Riina.

Secret service chief Mario Mori and top Carabinieri officer Sergio De Caprio played a prominent role in capturing Riina in 1993 after 23 years on the run. But police failed to search Riina's hideaway until 19 days after his arrest, giving the Mafia enough time to strip the building, clean the floors, paint the walls and remove all fingerprints.

The pair denied charges of aiding and abetting the Mafia.

- REUTERS