(ANSA) - Reggio Calabria, September 2 - Carabinieri police
on Friday arrested eight suspects, including an underage boy,
for gang-raping and blackmailing a 13-year-old girl.
The abuse took place for over a year, from the end of 2013
to the start of 2015.
Investigators say one of the assailants, most of whom are
in their 20s, started a romantic relationship with the teen and
then forced her to have sex with his friends.
The gang then blackmailed her by threatening to post
intimate photos of her online, and threatened a young boy she
had started dating.
Among those under arrest is Giovanni Iamonte, 30, whose
father Remingo Iamonte is currently serving time in prison and
is believed to be the head of the Iamonte clan of the local
'Ndrangheta mafia in the southern town of Melito Porto Salvo,
near Reggio Calabria.
The eight suspects face charges including aggravated rape,
sex with a minor, possession of child pornography, stalking, and
serious bodily harm.
Eight arrested for gang rape of girl, 13
'Abused, blackmailed teen for a year'