ROME—Three FAO executives have denounced Italian Insider to the Italian judiciary for alleged defamation in an evident attempt to prevent coverage of dubious activities at the UN agency.

The three are Food and Agriculture Organisation Communications division chief Mario Lubetkin, IT division chief Florentin Albu and Media relations chief Mehdi Drissi, official sources said.

 Italian Insider disclosed last year how Moroccan M. Drissi rigged the appointment of FAO’s Latin American communications officer, discarding two highly qualified candidates in violation of UN rules.

  Insider also disclosed that Roumanian Albu was not adhering to directives from FAO Director General Jose Graziano da Silva to earmark new positions for staff laid off in budget cuts last year. Insider recently disclosed the hype surrounding Dr Graziano’s announcement of the appointment of Uruguayan Senor Lubetkin to his dlrs 25,000 a month position.

  Insider Chief Editor John Phillips said: “Italian insider will not be intimidated or silenced by such scare tactics. We stand by our reports on these gentlemen.”

 The FAO Inspection Unit in Rome last month opened an inquiry into nepotism at the UN agency following Insider's disclosures.