The Bari Labor Tribunal has overturned the dismissal and mandated the reinstatement of two municipal police officers fired by Bari’s city government in March 2024. The officers had been terminated for their alleged involvement in an investigation that led to 130 precautionary measures over suspected mafia-political vote trading during the 2019 elections.
Investigations revealed the officers reportedly sought assistance from Fabio Fiore, a loyalist of the Parisi crime clan and former driver of Japigia boss ‘Savinuccio’, to retaliate against an individual who insulted them after running a red light.
However, the tribunal ruled the dismissal disproportionate, finding no evidence of “illicit ties with external parties” and stating that “sporadic phone contacts with an individual of criminal stature” alone did not justify termination. The court emphasized that the officers had fulfilled their duties by issuing administrative penalties against traffic violators and found no dereliction of sanctioning responsibilities.
Bari’s municipal government has announced it will appeal the ruling.
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