Italian Corruption Probe Spurs Protests Over Messina Strait Bridge Project

Italy’s public prosecutor in Rome opened a corruption investigation into the planned Messina Strait bridge. Prosecutors allege that a magistrate of the Court of Auditors, an entrepreneur and a former board member of the concession company Stretto di Messina SpA tried to influence the audit of the project in exchange for future public appointments. The inquiry is expanding to include emails, chats and other documents, and the Catanzaro prosecutor is reportedly examining additional lines of evidence.

Following the announcement, the activist group No Ponte launched a signature campaign and scheduled a rally for 8 August in Messina, demanding the removal of the Stretto di Messina SpA board and the closure of the company to halt the bridge. Former court accountant Tommaso Miele resigned from his post. Stretto di Messina SpA has denied any wrongdoing while the investigation continues.