Sister Anna Donelli, a 57-year-old nun, has been placed under house arrest as part of a major anti-mafia investigation in Italy.

She is accused of acting as an intermediary for the 'Ndrangheta mafia, using her spiritual role to transmit messages between the clan and inmates in Milan and Brescia prisons.

The investigation, led by the Brescia Public Prosecutor's Office, uncovered her involvement in facilitating communication for the mafia, which is linked to extortion, arms and drug trafficking, and money laundering.

Authorities have executed 25 precautionary measures and seized 1.8 million euros across several Italian cities.

Sister Donelli's actions allegedly helped the mafia plan criminal strategies and maintain their operations from within prison walls.