KIDNAPPING IN SICILY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28162, 28 December 1956, Page 9

KIDNAPPING IN SICILY

Landowner Held By Bandits (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PALERMO (Sicily), Dec. 26. A 72-year-old Sicilian land owner, Mr Salvatore di Cristina, returned to his family today after spending six weeks as a prisoner of bandits in their hideout in the bleak mountains south of Palermo. His family is believed to have paid ransom money to secure his release. The kidnappers are reported to have demanded £17,250. It was the second time that Mr di Cristina has been kidnapped. Eleven years ago, bandits held him for four weeks and freed him after his family paid 2,000,000 lire (£1150). On November 14 this year, six masked men armed with pistols and submachine-guns broke into Mr di Cristina’s estate, near Monreale, south of Palermo. They told about 20 'farm workers to lie down in the courtyard face downwards. While some of the bandits kept them covered, the rest ordered Mr di Cristina to lead the way to the upper floor of the house where they seized a metal box containing cash and a £2OO cheque. The bandits then forced the labourers into a room and locked them in. They stole two mules and made off with Mr di Cristina.