After an inquiry was announced into cooperatives managed by family members of MP Aboubakar Soumaharo who is known for his work as a trade unionist, party leaders have called for the taking on of "full political responsibility". The secretary of the party has denied knowing anything about the case.
The legal case involving some family members of Aboubakar Soumahoro, an MP of African origin from Italy's Green and Left Alliance, has divided the Italian Left (Sinistra Italiana) party.
Following a letter signed by about a dozen leaders who on Friday (November 25) asked party secretary Nicola Fratoianni to "take onto himself full political responsibility" of the candidature of the Ivorian-born former trade union leader, a response arrived the following day from the secretariat.
"The secretariat was unaware of any reports of alleged illicit conduct. Those who say otherwise are lying and seeking to exploit -- for political ends -- a case that is embittering every left-wing citizen, and us first and foremost," he replied, rejecting insinuations.
Fratoianni himself has said that he was unaware of any illicit conduct. "Some things must still be clarified but I do not regret anything," he said.
Parts of ongoing inquiry into cooperatives
The Latina prosecutor's office has for months been looking into cooperatives managed by Marie Therese Mukamitsindo, mother-in-law of Aboubakar Soumahoro, who is under investigation for alleged embezzlement.
The financial police is also looking into a series of elements gathered in recent weeks, making it possible to analyze the funding received over the years by the structure. The investigation began after 26 employees complained of non-payment of wages. The cash flow into Karibu, a cooperative that has been working in Italy's central region of Lazio for about 20 years, is being studied.
Last April, in light of the Ukraine emergency, Karibu and the Aid consortium received funding of about €557,000 from the Lazio regional government.
A detailed study is being conducted into how the money was used, including in relation to the payment of supplies and the management of the renting of the locations including one in Sezze, where reception activities for migrants from Africa began.
The carabinieri has instead in recent weeks got hold of a series of documents found outside of the company, possibly left there during a move, concerning the non-payment of employees.
This part of the investigation began months after the main line of inquiry but is moving along quickly thanks in part to work carried out in collaboration with the directorate of labor.
Accusation of co-founder of Lega Braccianti
On the management of funds, comments from Sambarè Soumaila weigh heavily. Soumaila had with Soumahoro founded Lega Braccianti. "We wanted to know how the money was spent and at a certain point we were kicked out, Soumaila said in an interview on Saturday with the Italian daily La Stampa, in reference to funds collected through the GoFundMe platform.
Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto wrote on Twitter that "the issue is not Soumahoro. The issue is the thousands of people that every day are exploited amid absolute indifference, often using systems that are officially 'legal', such as some cooperatives" in attempts to further reduce salaries.