Liliane Murekatete, the wife of MP Aboubakar Soumahoro, on Friday (November 3), told a preliminary investigations judge (GIP) in the central Italian town of Latina, just south of the capital Rome, that she did not personally buy luxury goods, including expensive bags. "I did not buy them: the only payments I made were for salaries and expenses to buy food for the guests" of migrant hosting facilities."I never used the cooperative's credit cards," she added.

Murekatete and her mother, Marie Therese Mukamitsindo, were placed under house arrest on Monday, October 30 over alleged wrongdoing in the management of cooperatives dealing with migrants and unaccompanied minors in the province of Latina.

Murekatete, Mukamitsindo and four others are involved in an investigation into the management of public funds by cooperatives dealing with migrants in the Lazio province.

Soumahoro, an ex-unionist and anti-gangmastering campaigner of Ivorian descent, was elected to Parliament in October 2022 with the Green-Left alliance. In January 2023, he joined the Lower Houses's mixed caucus after the investigation became public. He is currently the country's only Black MP.

Finance police investigate alleged 'fraudulent system'

The probe carried out by Italy's finance police says it has uncovered an alleged "fraudulent system" that diverted public money intended for activities to assist foreigners in the Lazio region between 2017 and 2022, according to investigative sources.

Also read: 'Graft probe intends to harm Soumahoro,' family says

However, despite the public money, according to investigators, migrants lived in dire conditions in the facilities the funds were meant to be financing.The woman, who was placed under house arrest on October 30, her mother and brother, face charges including procurement fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy and money laundering.

Murekatete's lawyer, Lorenzo Borrè, denied the charges, including an alleged consultancy for which his client is accused of receiving €70,000. "I don't have that money in my bank account", Murekatete told the judge on Friday.

The defense attorney said the luxury goods "were not bought" by her, noting that court papers referring to designer items did not mention that they were shopped by his client "who never approved a budget covering these expenses."

For now, Murekatete will remain under house arrest. Her lawyer doubted the measure can be revoked for now "not because she is guilty, but rather because this almost never happens at this stage of a trial. We will appeal to a court of review," he explained.

Unions and workers demand compensation

The outcome of the appeal will be made public in around a month's time. Prior to that, on November 17, another tranche of the investigation concerning alleged tax offenses in relation to the Karibu and Consorzio Aid cooperatives for which the mother and daughter are under investigation with four others is expected to publicize any developments made in that process.

On November 3, the GIP in Latina said he would rule at a later date on the defense attorneys' request to dismiss the participation of civil plaintiffs in the case.

Unions, the cooperatives' workers and the liquidator of the Karibu cooperative are demanding compensation.

Also read: Activist elected, fighting for the forgotten ones

On November 3, employees of the cooperatives who are asking to receive €400,000 of allegedly unpaid salaries, demonstrated in front of the tribunal of Latina with the support of UILTucs, the chapter of the labor union UIL representing workers in services, trade and tourism.

League party politicians attend demonstrations

The demonstration was also attended by the president of the labor commission of Lazio's Regional Council, Orlando Angelo Tripodi of the right-wing League party.

"Public money was spent on luxury bags and to abide by the 'right to elegance'", he declared --citing a claim made by Soumahoro after photos emerged of his wife wearing designer clothes-- "while workers and families lived in conditions of total neglect."

"Where were those who were supposed to monitor these funds? Where were the local administrators of the PD (Democratic Party) and of the centre-left?", the politician asked.

The defense attorney, however, rejected all demands made by the plaintiffs. "The compensation is unrelated to the charge in question" which is alleged "tax evasion" for €12,000. "I don't see how this could have damaged the workers", said Murekatete's lawyer.