Mafia Suspect Escapes From Hospital in Italy

An alleged Mafia boss on trial in the southern Calabria region has escaped while undergoing specialist treatment at a hospital, a judge said Monday.

He said that Domenico Libri, 55, believed to be the head of a powerful clan of the Calabrian Mafia, escaped from police custody at the hospital in Busto Arsizio, 20 miles northwest of Milan, on June 2.

Judge Salvatore Boemi made the announcement as he opened Monday’s hearings of a trial here at which nearly 100 people, including Libri and his brother Pasquale, are charged with belonging to the criminal organization.