Chinese couple in Rome shot at Mafia attack from textile war

Chinese couple in Rome shot at Mafia attack from textile war

In Rome, a Chinese couple who allegedly had connections to triads and a turf war in the lucrative textile industry were murdered on Monday evening. The Italian Carabinieri shared this in an explanation.

Details for crime

The victims, Zhang Dayong (53) and his wife Gong Xiaoqing (38), were shot in the Pignneto district of the capital while they were traveling by bike. Unknown attackers on a motorcycle opened the fire and met them in the back of the head. According to the police, at least six shots were made. In Italy, gun violence is extremely rare, even in cases that are associated with organized crime, which is caused by strict weapons laws.

possible motifs and background

The police suspect that the motif is related to the so-called “war of the trailers” among Chinese gangsters who specialize in the textile sector-especially in fast-fashion factories in the Tuscan city of Prato, near Florence. Zhang, who was nicknamed "Asheng", was on trial with 78 other people in Florence. He was accused of coordinating illegal criminal activities in Italy, France, Germany and Spain.

court proceedings and investigations

He was supposed to testify in the coming weeks and was considered the deputy leader of one of the most powerful gangs operating in Europe, according to documents on the legal proceedings. Zhang rejected the allegations and CNN had turned to his lawyer for clarification.

background of the investigation

The process is part of a 2018 investigation called "China Truck", which deals with the human and textile smuggling in connection with mafia-like gangs in Europe, such as the Italian anti-mafia directorate that carried out the original investigation. The double murder investigations are considered to be revenge, but so far no suspect has been caught.

overarching effects

The police point out that this murder may signal a break of alliances among the "cartels" that control the clothing sector. There was also an increase in violence, including a number of murder attempts, arson and attacks in Tuscany, Madrid and Paris, which are connected to these gangs.

cnn asked the Chinese message in Rome to comment.