Naples – Angelo Michelini, considered by investigators to be a member of the "gang" led by Ciro Fabiano, is leaving prison just two weeks after the massive raid that dismantled the network of apartment robbers.
The preliminary investigations judge of the Court of Naples, Dario Berrino—the same one who signed the precautionary custody order executed on January 7, 2026—accepted the request submitted by the defendant's lawyer, Giuseppe Gallo, ordering the replacement of the prison sentence with house arrest.
The raid and the criminal context
Michelini was arrested as part of a vast operation that, at the beginning of the year, dismantled seven criminal gangs specializing in residential burglaries, operating like wildfire between Campania and Lower Lazio.
According to the prosecution, Fabiano and Michelini's group allegedly carried out a series of raids in 2024—over 100 attacks were alleged against the entire organization—particularly in the areas of Benevento, Pomigliano d'Arco, Atripalda, Frosinone, and Acerra.
The decision of the investigating judge
Despite the Public Prosecutor's contrary opinion on January 22, the judge approved the defense's arguments. In his release order, the investigating judge emphasized that the prison experience, though brief at this stage, had already had a "significant deterrent effect."
Several factors influenced the decision, which led the magistrate to believe that the precautionary measures could be met with house arrest:
The precedent in Frosinone: Michelini had already been subjected to measures for a proceeding pending before the Court of Frosinone (events in February 2024), during which he had obtained work authorization without ever violating the provisions.
Occupation: Regular work as a butcher was documented.
The family drama: A crucial element was the medical documentation relating to the 15-month-old daughter, who suffers from pathologies that require constant parental assistance.
Michelini will therefore leave the prison and return to his home in Melito di Napoli, where he will remain under house arrest under the supervision of law enforcement and with an absolute ban on leaving without authorization.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
I don't quite understand how someone who has done so much harm can be released from prison so quickly. Justice sometimes doesn't seem to function as it should, especially in such serious and complicated cases. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.