Police seize 2.3 million from jailed Lazio 'ultra' fan

(ANSA) - Rome, July 23 - Italian police said Wednesday that they have seized over 2.3 million euros from the jailed chief of a group of hardcore 'ultra' supporters of Rome soccer side Lazio. Fabrizio Piscitelli, nicknamed 'Diabolik' after an Italian comic-book criminal, has been in Rome's Rebibbia prison since September on charges of drug trafficking and other offences. The assets seized from Piscitelli, who is a leader of an extreme rightwing fan gang called the Irriducibili, include properties, cars and company shares. The confiscation was the result of a probe by anti-mafia investigators into the high standard of living enjoyed by Piscitelli and his family despite low declared earnings.
    The probe showed Piscitelli generated earnings via the sale of Irriducibili merchandise featuring a character from an old British comic book, Mister Enrich. Piscitelli has been involved in many past criminal cases linked to drugs and soccer-related violence.
    The Irriducibili are spearheading a campaign to get Lazio Chairman Claudio Lotito to sell the club.
    Lotito reportedly irked ultra fan groups by denying them privileges granted by previous owners, such as free tickets and the ability to sell official club merchandise, when he bought the twice Italian champions 10 years ago.