Del Balso: some light on the killing – maybe
Some explication here, possibly, on Monday’s killing of Francesco Del Balso who must have known there was a price on his head. That Del Balso had changed allegiance from the Rizzuto faction to the Hells Angels is mentioned here and elsewhere, but not explained.
Del Balso couldn’t leave the country because his passport was confiscated in March, but that makes me wonder about two things: he was born in Italy, so did he also have an Italian passport and, if so, could Canadian authorities take that away too?
Also, if the authorities are aware that a man is under threat, but they limit his exit options by taking his passport, are they not implicitly throwing him to the wolves? A person on parole and/or facing charges is not normally allowed to leave the country, but this man was under a well‑defined threat.
I suppose he could have worn a disguise and gone to live quietly in some suburb – but he didn’t.
dhomas 17:52 on 2023-06-06 Permalink
Italy stripped emigrating Italians’ of their citizenship (and usually of their passports, too) when they received Canadian citizenship, up until 1992. This was because Italy at the time did not recognize dual citizenship.
https://consvancouver.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/cittadinanza/
My parents both lost their citizenship when they became Canadian citizens. The Italian consulate in Montreal would help immigrants to integrate in Canada and help them acquire Canadian citizenship, but once they got it, they lost the Italian citizenship. To hear my dad tell it, the person working at the consulate literally took his passport out of his hands to destroy it when he visited the consulate and it was known he was now Canadian.
Since 1992, it is possible to regain citizenship, but it’s complicated and Italy’s bureaucracy is a nightmare. It requires multiple forms and a paper trail going back to the municipality (“comune”) of birth in Italy where the records might be difficult (or impossible) to find. My mom regained her citizenship in 1997. My dad still doesn’t have his back (he didn’t try very hard, though). I applied for myself and my kids earlier this year because I’m a little concerned that if I don’t do it now, the current government might take this right away (they’re a little bit “touchy” when it comes to foreigners and immigration).
Kate 18:20 on 2023-06-06 Permalink
Interesting, dhomas. Thank you.
It’s harsh for a country to take away people’s birth nationality, I think. You’re wise to act on it now, as you say, since politics around citizenship are subject to change.