A previously unpublished 1987 radio interview featuring anti-mafia magistrate Paolo Borsellino has been released by Rai Sicilia [1].
The recording provides a rare glimpse into the philosophy of one of Italy's most prominent legal figures who fought the mafia before he was killed. It highlights the necessity of a societal shift in Sicily to combat organized crime effectively.
Conducted by journalist Rosa Ricciardi, the interview took place shortly after Borsellino was appointed as the chief prosecutor in Marsala, Sicily [1]. During the conversation, Borsellino expressed a complex affection for his home, stating, “Io amo la Sicilia perché non mi piace” [1].
Borsellino used the platform to address the systemic issues within Sicilian society. He argued that the legal system cannot be the sole entity responsible for eradicating the mafia. He said, “Bisogna partire dalla considerazione che ci sono cose che non vanno e che devono essere cambiate. Ma il magistrato non deve essere l’unico delegato alla lotta alla criminalità organizzata” [1].
This perspective contrasted with the prevailing attitudes of the era. Borsellino said that his own generation was accustomed to the belief that the mafia did not actually exist [2]. By challenging this denial, he sought to mobilize a broader segment of the population to take a stand against criminal influence.
The interview was recorded in 1987 [1]. Borsellino continued his work against organized crime until he was killed in 1992 [1]. The gap between the recording and his death spans 34 years [1].
His warnings about the limitations of judicial power underscore the dangers faced by magistrates who operate without wide-scale civic support. The release of this audio serves as a historical record of the ideological battle against the mafia in the late 20th century.
““Io amo la Sicilia perché non mi piace””
The release of this interview underscores the historical transition in Italy from a state of denial regarding the mafia's existence to an active, though dangerous, judicial confrontation. Borsellino's insistence that the fight against organized crime must be a societal effort rather than a purely legal one remains a central tenet of anti-mafia strategy, emphasizing that law enforcement is ineffective without a corresponding cultural rejection of criminal power.
