Attorney Chris Watkins is representing Vito, Tony and Rocco Minella and says the men are shocked by the accusations. Watkins says the Italian law the men are charged under wouldn't even be constitutional in Canada.
The men are charged under an Italian law which forbids associating with mafia organizations. Watkins feels the law may be a human rights violation because a person can be charged just for speaking to the wrong person. According to Watkins, there are many examples of people in Italy being sent to prison under the law only to be found innocent years later.
The warrant was issued as part of a crackdown by Italian authorities on the Ndrangheta crime organization. The men aren't likely to face extradition because the crime the Italian warrant was issued for is not recognized in Canada.
