Gratteri
Getting to know Nicola Gratteri
Nicola Gratteri was born on July 22, 1958, in Gerace, Calabria, and is the third of five children. After obtaining his scientific high school diploma, he enrolled at the Faculty of Law at the University of Catania.
Fighting against the ‘ndrangheta
Immediately after his studies, Nicola Gratteri joined the Italian judiciary and soon became involved in the fight against the 'ndrangheta. Following his first investigations, the Forestation Councilor of Calabria resigned and the regional government fell.
In the 1990s, while serving as deputy prosecutor in Locri, he investigated the ties between 'ndrangheta, politics, Freemasonry, drug trafficking, and arms trafficking. In 1993, he narrowly escaped three organized attempts on his life in three weeks.
In 2009, he was appointed deputy prosecutor of the Republic at the court of Reggio Calabria. In 2013, the Prime Minister Enrico Letta appointed him as a member of the team of experts for the development of proposals to fight organized crime.
Activities as a member of the parliamentary anti-mafia commission
In 2014, Rosy Bindi appointed him as a member of the parliamentary anti-mafia commission, a role that Nicola Gratteri accepted compatibly with his role as prosecutor. In August of the same year, the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi appointed him as president of the commission for developing legislative proposals to combat the Mafia.
Appointment as Prosecutor of the Republic of Catanzaro
In 2016, the Supreme Council of Magistracy appointed him as Prosecutor of the Republic of Catanzaro, replacing Antonio Lombardo.
Educational activities and publications
Nicola Gratteri is very sensitive to the importance of educating young people as a tool for prevention in the fight against the mafia, and gives lectures in schools and universities in Italy and abroad. In November 2011, he published a book with journalist Nicaso, entitled "La mafia fa schifo" (Mafia sucks).
2003 operation against Platì clans
As Deputy Prosecutor, in 2003 Nicola Gratteri coordinated a massive operation against the 'Ndrina Barbaro and the 'Ndrina Trimboli-'Ndrina Perre of Platì called "Marine". During the operation, about a thousand police officers arrested over one hundred people overnight.
Defeat in the race for the National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor
In May 2022, the vote for the election of the new National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor saw Nicola Gratteri's defeat, beaten by Giovanni Melillo by 13 votes to 7.
In summary, Nicola Gratteri is an Italian magistrate deeply committed to fighting the 'ndrangheta and prevention through education. He has coordinated important operations against the clans of Platì and written a book with Nicaso about the Mafia. In 2016, he was appointed as Prosecutor of the Republic of Catanzaro, and continued his educational and public activities. In 2022, he lost the vote for the appointment as National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor.
