Paolo Borsellino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paolo Borsellino
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| Born | 19 January 1940 Palermo, Kingdom of Italy
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| Died | 19 July 1992 (aged 52) Palermo, Italy
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| Cause of death | Assassinated by the Sicilian Mafia |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Magistrate |
| Known for | Investigations into the Mafia |
| Relatives | Rita Borsellino (sister) |
Paolo Emanuele Borsellino (born January 19, 1940 – died July 19, 1992) was a brave Italian judge. He spent most of his life fighting against the powerful Sicilian Mafia from his office in Palermo, Sicily.
Paolo Borsellino worked hard to bring down the Mafia. He had a long and important career. Sadly, on July 19, 1992, he was killed by a car bomb near his mother's house in Palermo.
Borsellino's life was very similar to that of his close friend, Giovanni Falcone. They grew up in the same neighborhood in Palermo. Even though some of their childhood friends joined the Mafia, both men chose to fight against crime. They were both killed in 1992, just a few months apart. They received the Gold Medal for Civil Valor for their brave efforts. Time magazine also named them heroes in 2006.
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Paolo Borsellino's Early Life
Paolo Borsellino was born in a regular neighborhood in Palermo, called Kalsa. His family lived in a house next to his mother's pharmacy. As a boy, Paolo played soccer with Giovanni Falcone in the Piazza Magione. Falcone also grew up in the same area.
The Mafia was present in their neighborhood, but it was quiet then. Some of their classmates later became Mafia members. In 1956, Paolo's family had to move because their house was unsafe.
Borsellino and Falcone met again at Palermo University. They both decided to become judges. Borsellino earned his law degree with honors in 1962. After his father passed away, he became a judge in 1963. He worked in many cities in Sicily, like Enna and Monreale. In 1975, he moved back to Palermo. There, he began investigating the Sicilian Mafia.
First Steps Against the Mafia
Neither Borsellino nor Falcone planned to fight the Mafia at first. But they were given cases involving the Mafia. They became very worried by what they found. They saw other judges and police officers murdered while fighting the Mafia. It became impossible for them to stop.
In 1980, Borsellino helped arrest six Mafia members. One of them was Leoluca Bagarella, who was related to Mafia boss Salvatore Riina. Later that year, his close helper, police captain Emanuele Basile, was killed by the Mafia. Borsellino investigated this murder. He became a special target when he ordered the arrest of Francesco Madonia for Basile's murder. After this, Borsellino was given police protection.
The Antimafia Pool
Borsellino worked with judges Falcone and Rocco Chinnici. They continued to research the Mafia and its connections to powerful people in Sicily. He became part of Palermo's Antimafia Pool. This was a group of judges who worked closely together. They shared information to make their investigations stronger. This also helped protect them by spreading the responsibility. The group included Falcone, Borsellino, Giuseppe Di Lello, and Leonardo Guarnotta.
In 1983, Rocco Chinnici was killed by a car bomb. Antonino Caponnetto took his place in the Antimafia Pool. This group gathered many investigations into the Mafia. These investigations led to the famous Maxi Trial.
The Maxi Trial began in February 1986 and lasted until December 1987. A total of 475 Mafia members were charged with many crimes. Most of them were found guilty. The convictions were confirmed in January 1992 after all appeals. This trial was very important because it officially proved that the Mafia, or Cosa Nostra, truly existed.
In 1986, Borsellino became the head of the Public Prosecution Office in Marsala. He continued his fight against Mafia bosses there. His connection with Falcone, who stayed in Palermo, allowed them to investigate all of Western Sicily. In 1987, Borsellino strongly protested when Falcone was not chosen to lead the Antimafia Pool.
Paolo Borsellino's Last Months
On May 23, 1992, Falcone, his wife, and three bodyguards were killed by a bomb. It was planted under the highway outside Palermo. Some people believe that after Falcone's death, there were secret talks between the Italian government and the Mafia.
Borsellino tried to join the investigation into Falcone's murder, but he was not allowed. On June 25, 1992, he said in public that he had information that might explain why Falcone was killed. Borsellino also asked a police colonel to restart an investigation. This investigation was about the Mafia's control over public building projects.
On July 17, 1992, Borsellino went to Rome. There, a former Mafia member, Gaspare Mutolo, told him about two officials who might be corrupt. One was Bruno Contrada, a former police chief. The other was anti-Mafia prosecutor Domenico Signorino. Borsellino considered Signorino a friend and was very upset by this news. He was even more troubled when a government minister called him to a meeting. At this meeting, Contrada was also present, which meant he knew about Borsellino's secret meeting with the informer.
His Death
On July 19, 1992, Paolo Borsellino was killed by a car bomb. This happened in Via D'Amelio, near his mother's house in Palermo. It was less than two months after his friend Falcone died. Five police officers also died in the bomb attack. They were Agostino Catalano, Walter Cosina, Emanuela Loi, Vincenzo Li Muli, and Claudio Traina. Emanuela Loi was the first Italian policewoman killed while on duty.
In his last video interview, Borsellino spoke about possible links between Mafia members and rich Italian businessmen. This interview was not shown much on Italian television. Many Mafia members were sentenced to life in prison for their part in Borsellino's murder.
His Legacy
Today, Paolo Borsellino is seen as one of the most important judges killed by the Sicilian Mafia. He is remembered as a main symbol of the government's fight against the Mafia. Many schools and public buildings are named after him. These include Palermo International Airport (now called Falcone-Borsellino Airport) and the Velodromo Paolo Borsellino stadium in Palermo.
His sister, Rita Borsellino, later ran for political office. She wanted to continue the fight against the Mafia. His famous quote about Sicily, "she will become most beautiful," is the name of a political party.
See also
In Spanish: Paolo Borsellino para niños
- Rita Atria
- Il Capo dei Capi
- List of victims of the Sicilian Mafia
Images for kids
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Paolo Borsellino, a brave Italian judge.
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Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, two friends who fought the Mafia together.
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Signs showing support for the two judges.
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A tree planted in Palermo to remember Paolo Borsellino.
