Full Breakdown
Police Escort Granted to Sicily by Car Founder After String of Arson Attacks
6/13/2026, 12:03:57 AM
Arson Attacks Trigger Police Protection
On June 12 2026 a depot of the car-rental firm Sicily by Car in Palermo was set ablaze in the early hours, destroying eleven vehicles. The incident was the third arson attack on the company within an eighty-day span. Following the blaze, authorities placed the 88-year-old founder and chairman, Tommaso Dragotto, under police escort, a measure he said he had not requested.
Background: Mafia-Linked Violence in Palermo
Palermo has experienced a recent rise in intimidation, arson and other violent acts targeting businesses and citizens. While the Cosa Nostra mafia’s senior leadership has been largely dismantled since the 1990s, the organization “remains a fearsome organisation,” according to local officials. Mayor Roberto Lagalla described the situation as “a worrying escalation of acts of intimidation, arson attacks, and acts of violence against business people, shopkeepers, and citizens.”
Key Figures
- Tommaso Dragotto – Founder and chairman of Sicily by Car, age 88.
- Sicily by Car – Italian car-rental company operating multiple sites in Palermo.
- Mayor Roberto Lagalla – Head of Palermo’s municipal government.
- Palermo anti-mafia prosecutors and police – Law-enforcement bodies leading the investigation.
- Cosa Nostra – Sicilian mafia group implicated in extortion tactics.
Timeline of Incidents and Response
- March 2026 – Gunshots fired at the entrance of a Sicily by Car site.
- Early 2026 (?80 days before June 12) – First arson attack on a company depot (details not specified).
- Mid-2026 – Second arson attack on a different depot (details not specified).
- June 12 2026 – Third arson attack destroys eleven vehicles; Dragotto placed under police escort.
- June 12 2026 – Palermo anti-mafia prosecutors announce eight arrests on extortion and attempted-murder charges.
Data & Statistics
- Three arson attacks recorded within an eighty-day period.
- Eleven vehicles destroyed in the latest blaze.
- Eight individuals detained for extortion, attempted murder and use of mafia methods.
Impact on Business Climate
The attacks have heightened security concerns for entrepreneurs in Palermo. Dragotto noted that the escort “changes your freedom, your movements, your daily life,” underscoring the operational constraints imposed by heightened police protection. The pattern of violence may deter investment and complicate routine business activities in the region.
Official Statements & Responses
- Dragotto emphasized his refusal to pay any protection money, stating he has never done so and will not start now.
- Mayor Lagalla warned of the city’s escalating climate of intimidation and violence.
- Palermo anti-mafia prosecutors reported the eight arrests, linking the suspects to extortion and attempted murder using mafia methods.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Three (arson) attacks in eighty days is really too much. I didn't want an escort, because it changes your freedom, your movements, your daily life. They told me that I cannot refuse it,” — Tommaso Dragotto, Founder & Chairman, Sicily by Car
- “One thing should be clear: I have never paid, I will never pay, and I will not start now” — Tommaso Dragotto
- “a worrying escalation of acts of intimidation, arson attacks, and acts of violence against business people, shopkeepers, and citizens.” — Roberto Lagalla, Mayor of Palermo
- “Following Thursday's attack, Palermo anti-mafia prosecutors and police said eight people had been arrested on charges of extortion and attempted murder, aggravated by the use of mafia methods.” — Palermo anti-mafia prosecutors
What’s Next
The police escort for Dragotto will remain in place while investigations continue. Prosecutors have indicated that further inquiries may lead to additional arrests, and authorities are monitoring other Sicily by Car sites for potential threats.
