FOGGIA – A nephew of the crime boss Raphael Tolonese was shot and killed in Apulia while celebrating his birthday, police said.

 Agostino Corvino suffered two gunshot wounds to the abdomen which proved fatal Thursday evening. The 50 year old had been celebrating his birthday with drinks at a kiosk on viale Giotto when the assassins attacked him. Police found 14 bullet cases at the scene.

 Corvino himself had a criminal record, having formerly been convicted of extortion, drug trafficking and kidnapping. Investigators believe the incident to be related to the world of organized crime in Foggia, which has been in turmoil for the past few months due to various arrests and trials. The victim’s uncle, Raphael Tolonese, is leader of the Trisciuoglio-Prencipe-Tolonese gang which forms part of the Società Foggiana or ‘fifth mafia’. 

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