Italy: Local govt near France dissolved for 'mafia infiltration'

Rome, 3 Feb. (AKI) - The Italian govenment on Friday dissolved the city government of the northern border town of Ventimiglia because of suspected inflitration by organised crime.

The scenic town of 25,000 residents on the Ligurian coast last year drew international attention because the hundreds of illegal migrants attempting to cross into France from the city after arriving in Italy from North African countries in the midst of popular revolt.

The desision to fire the city council was made by the Italian Cabinet of Ministers on the advice of interior minister Annamaria Cancellieri.

The Italian government at times takes over city councils when investigating magistrates uncover enough evidence to suspect that councilers are diverting working for the good of the mafia by awarding gangsters public works contracts and doing other favours.

It's most common for the central government to take over local administrations in the Italian south where organised crime groups have their roots.

"This time it happens to a city on the border with France rather than one in the south," said the website of Corriere della Sera, one of Italy's biggest dailies.