Former Italian military officer found dead in Tunisian prison 10 days after arrest
Antonino Urru, a 78-year-old former Italian non-commissioned officer, was found dead in his cell at Mornag prison in Tunisia on Friday, August 14, 2026. His death occurred approximately 10 days after his arrest based on an international warrant issued by Italian authorities. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been officially disclosed. Urru, originally from Oristano, Sardinia, had been living in Tunisia for several years. His arrest stemmed from a definitive conviction in Italy for tax fraud, an investigation that began over 15 years ago. The case involved a complex scheme of companies and intermediaries around real estate operations, allegedly designed to obscure financial flows and hide the true ownership of assets. The alleged tax fraud amounted to approximately 815,000 euros. Italian authorities had taken precautionary measures, including seizing properties in Oristano and bank accounts. Urru's name had also appeared in other real estate and construction investigations in Oristano, involving suspicions of urban planning abuses and non-transparent real estate transactions. After his definitive conviction, an international arrest warrant was issued, leading to his apprehension in Tunisia. He was detained at Mornag prison, and his death, confirmed by diplomatic circles, has not been publicly explained by authorities. The precise circumstances of his death remain unknown, and it is unclear if it was related to his health or other factors.