Alessandro Casolari, known as "Caso," was a notorious leader of the Spal ultras in Ferrara, Italy, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His life took a dramatic turn when he became involved in hostage negotiation in Colombia, cocaine smuggling to Italy, and ultimately faced imprisonment for kidnapping and robbery.
Early Life and Ultra Leadership
Born in June 1966 in Ferrara, Casolari attended a private convent school and studied languages. At 16, he joined the Spal ultras, a football fan group known for violence and hierarchy. In 1986, he united various ultra factions into the "Gruppo d'Azione," becoming their charismatic leader. His group, the "gremlins," engaged in fights, drug use, and local protests, such as opposing hazardous waste dumping in 1989.
Downfall and Prison Time
In 1992, a flare incident at a match caused serious injury to a young woman, leading to lawsuits and a massive compensation debt. Casolari's life spiraled into petty crime and prison stints. In 1995, he was jailed for fighting a carabiniere. During a 1998 prison term, he met Julio, a Colombian cocaine smuggler, which sparked his international adventures.
Hostage Negotiation and Cocaine Smuggling
After his release, Casolari joined the Italian army, serving in Kosovo and Bosnia. In 1998, he traveled to Colombia with a lottery-winning friend, met his future wife Ana Eneida Mena Arias, and connected with Farc guerrillas. He became involved in hostage negotiation, helping secure the release of Pablo Moncayo in 2010. Meanwhile, he started smuggling cocaine, moving around 400 kilos between 2018 and 2023. He lived lavishly, traveling globally and stashing cash in the UK.
Arrest and Aftermath
In August 2023, Casolari led a botched kidnapping to recover a debt, resulting in his arrest in April 2024. Police found weapons and cocaine. He spent 177 days in prison, enduring solitary confinement and alleged beatings. Released pending trial, he faced divorce and identity crisis, oscillating between plans for asylum, mercenary work, or writing a prison diary. He now awaits sentencing, claiming to be a political prisoner and denouncing prison abuses.
