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Chinese couple shot in Rome in textile war mafia attack
A Chinese couple has been shot dead in Rome in a suspected mafia attack. The crime could be related to a turf war in the textile industry. Investigations are ongoing.
Chinese couple shot in Rome in textile war mafia attack
A Chinese couple suspected of having ties to triads and a turf war in the lucrative textile industry were murdered in Rome on Monday evening. The Italian Carabinieri announced this in a statement.
Crime details
The victims, Zhang Dayong, 53, and his wife Gong Xiaoqing, 38, were shot dead while cycling in the capital's Pigneto district. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire, hitting her in the back of the head. According to police, at least six shots were fired. In Italy, gun violence is extremely rare, even in cases linked to organized crime, due to strict gun laws.
Possible motifs and background
Police suspect the motive is related to the so-called "war of hangers" among Chinese gangsters who specialize in the textile sector - particularly fast fashion factories in the Tuscan city of Prato, near Florence. Zhang, nicknamed “Asheng,” was on trial in Florence along with 78 others. He was accused of coordinating illegal criminal activities in Italy, France, Germany and Spain.
Trials and investigations
He was expected to testify in the coming weeks and was considered the deputy leader of one of the most powerful gangs operating in Europe, according to court documents. Zhang denied the allegations and CNN had contacted his lawyer for clarification.
Background to the investigation
The trial is part of an investigation launched in 2018 called "China Truck" into human and textile smuggling linked to Mafia gangs in Europe, according to the Italian Anti-Mafia Directorate, which conducted the original investigation. The double murder investigation is viewed as an act of revenge, but no suspect has been caught so far.
Overarching effects
Police point out that this killing may signal a rupture of alliances among the "cartels" that control the garment sector. There has also been an increase in violence, including a series of attempted murders, arsons and attacks in Tuscany, Madrid and Paris, linked to these gangs.
CNN has contacted the Chinese Embassy in Rome for comment.