Ring exchange may represent Mafia rebirth

PALERMO, Italy, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Authorities in Italy are concerned that a recent wedding ring exchange by two convicted crime bosses could represent a resurgence of the Mafia in Italy.

The Italian news agency ANSA said Wednesday that reputed crime bosses Leoluca Bagarella and Nitto Santapaola apparently left their wedding rings inside their cells on purpose when they exchanged prison cells earlier this week.

Santapaola is thought to still be controlling the eastern Sicilian Mafia and may have offered his ring as a symbolic gesture to Bagarella, who is the brother-in-law of the notorious Mafia chief and Corleone don, Toto Riina.

Crime experts say that the apparent treaty could represent an end to the peace ordered by the alleged top Mafia official, Bernardo Provenzano.

Prior to Provenzano's order, ANSA reported, Mafia bosses were very aggressive and violent when dealing with Italian officials.