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Salvatore "Toto" Riina (1930-2017)
Salvatore "Totò" Riina, born in Corleone, Sicily, Italy, on November 16, 1930, and died in Parma on November 17, 2017, was a member of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and for approximately two decades the head of the Corleonesi, a clan from the notorious mafia stronghold of Corleone. He was considered the presumed "capo di tutti i capi" ("boss of bosses"). Because of his short height of 1.58 m, he was also called "u curtu" (the short one). The media dubbed Riina "la belva" (the beast). For years, prosecutors, judges, politicians, journalists and even uninvolved civilians were killed. Riina also became known outside Italy when he ordered the 1992 murders of Paolo Borsellino and Giovanni Falcone, as well as Salvatore Lima. In addition, he is believed to be responsible for about 100 other murders. He was arrested on January 15, 1993, after more than twenty years on the run. (wp/sda)