Funeral procession for convicted man draws scrutiny in Palermo

A large funeral procession for Emanuele Rubino crossed central Palermo, with motorcycles, fireworks and firecrackers accompanying the coffin.

Rubino, 36, died of natural causes after spending more than a year under house arrest for health reasons.

He had received a first-instance sentence of 12 years for attempted murder and a final sentence of nine and a half years for extortion.

The procession passed through the pedestrian area of Via Maqueda and the Ballarò market, frightening some people and prompting shops to close.

Municipal police stopped it from continuing along the route, and Mayor Roberto Lagalla said such conduct was unacceptable because residents should feel safe in their neighbourhoods.

Five Star Movement lawmakers announced a parliamentary question to seek clarification about what happened.

The episode has drawn attention to concerns that public displays at funerals can be seen as signals of criminal power.