ROME -- Accusations are being made towards the Italian Minister of the Interior, Angelino Alfano, whose name has allegedly been brought up in Rome’s Public Prosecutor’s office inquiry into corruption and defrauding of the state. Alfano has reportedly become implicated in the matter due to the suspected involvement of his brother in the corruption scandal.

Alfano has however denied any involvement, stating that his name has been brought up purely for political reasons. He stated that the interceptions do not involve him directly, but only a few people who were speaking about him and whom he has not seen or heard from for years. If Alfano were to be implicated in the scandal, it could have significant consequences on the coalition formed between Renzi’s party and the NCD, Alfano’s centre right party.   

 The Public Prosecutor’s office has investigated several companies for involvement in the scandal and has allegedly found Alfano’s brother, Alessandro of Postecom, to be involved. They have issued 24 arrest warrants, including both prison and house arrests. Raffaele Pizza, brother of former Under Secretary Giuseppe Pizza, is reportedly thought to have been the central player of the organisation who acted as intermediary with key private companies. An interception from January 9 allegedly reveals that Pizza claimed he was the one to hire Alessando Alfano.

 Alessandro Di Battista of the M5S party has publically called for the Interior Minister to provide an explanation: ‘Minister Alfano has the responsibility to explain to Parliament and to the whole of Italian public opinion!’ he wrote on Twitter.  

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