Graziano Mesina

Graziano Mesina (, also popularly known as Gratzianeddu in Sardinian; 4 April 1942 – 12 April 2025) was an Italian bandit of the Anonima sarda. He escaped the authorities at least 10 times. He was called the "king of the kidnappers" by The New York Times in 1992. There have been books, songs, and at least one film about him. Four years later, he was arrested again, for shooting in a public place.

Mesina escaped from prison in 1966 with Miguel Atienza by climbing over a wall and began a kidnapping spree. After he was arrested a crowd of schoolgirls gathered at the police station with cards saying "I love you" on them. In 1970, he watched Cagliari Calcio play football while dressed as a woman. He again escaped on 12 April 1985, when he obtained a 12-hour permit to visit his brother in Crescentino. He took refuge in the apartment of Valeria Fusè in Vigevano, but on 18 April, the carabinieri arrested both of them. Transferred to the maximum security prison of Novara, Mesina was sentenced to a further six months in prison, while Fusè was acquitted. On 18 October 1992, Mesina was granted parole and settled in Asti. That year, Mesina helped secure the release of , who had been kidnapped. On 4 August 1993, his parole was revoked after police found weapons with Mesina.

In July 2003, Mesina asked for a pardon from the President of the Italian Republic, and on 25 November 2004, it was granted. On 10 June 2013, Mesina was arrested for drug trafficking. The Daily Telegraph reported that he "offered no resistance". Due to the expiry of the terms, Mesina was released on 7 June 2019. On 2 July 2020, Mesina was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but could not be found. In February 2021, Mesina was added to the list of most wanted fugitives in Italy. Mesina was arrested on 18 December 2021 in Desulo and brought to Badu 'e Carros.

Mesina was released from prison on 11 April 2025, due to a diagnosis of terminal cancer. He died the next day at hospital, at the age of 83.