When Matteo Messina Denaro, 60, went outside to catch his breath shortly before treatment at the "La Maddalena" clinic in Palermo on Monday morning, he was surrounded by police officers. They led the man away, took him to the barracks and from there to the airport for transport to a maximum security prison. Because this elegantly dressed man in front of the hospital was none other than the boss of Cosa Nostra, who had been wanted for decades.

Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine

ad-free

Already registered?