Afragola – The Prosecutor's Office of North Naples has closed the preliminary investigation into the case that shocked the community of Afragola last year: an alleged sex scandal inside a convent, culminating in episodes of aggravated robbery.
The Carabinieri of the local station yesterday morning notified eight people of the conclusion of the investigation, paving the way for the trial.
Among the main suspects is one of two Franciscan friars arrested in August last year. This is Father Nicola Gildi. The latter, at the time of the events in Afragola, had then been transferred to the convent of Santa Maria occorrevole in Piedimonte Matese.
The parish priest, defended by the lawyer Ciro Iorio, is only under investigation as the alleged instigator of an attempted robbery aimed at stealing cell phones containing compromising material.
The measure of the public prosecutor Cesare Sirignano also involves two entrepreneurs: Antonio Di Maso and Giuseppe Castaldo. The latter is indicated by the investigators as the promoter of the criminal action, which would have found the complicity of Father Gildi.
Four young people, currently detained, were also reached by the notice of conclusion of the investigation: Danilo Bottino, Biagio Cirillo, Sergio Colaluongo and Patrick Filippini. Finally, Giovanni Castaldo, 54, already known to the police and currently under house arrest for health reasons, is under investigation.
The order closing the investigation does not include the name of Father Domenico Silvestro, former parish priest of the sanctuary of Sant'Antonio and originally from Lusciano, who is not currently subject to precautionary measures.
The case broke out on August 1, 2024 with a series of arrests that caused quite a stir. In addition to the allegations of abuse, an attempted theft of mobile devices containing sensitive videos and chats emerged, elements that could have revealed compromising details about the affair.
Subsequent wiretaps conducted by investigators have allowed them to broaden the accusatory framework, identifying further individuals involved and reconstructing an alleged system of pressure and economic promises exerted on the relatives of the material perpetrators of the crimes.
Now, with the investigation closed, we are waiting to understand what the next moves of the Prosecutor's Office will be and whether the eight suspects will be sent to trial to answer to the serious charges contested.
Article published on May 13, 2025 - 09:45 pm
