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Trial over Naples rubbish crisis | Trial over Naples rubbish crisis |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The president of the region surrounding the Italian city of Naples is going on trial with 27 others, over the city's ongoing rubbish crisis. | The president of the region surrounding the Italian city of Naples is going on trial with 27 others, over the city's ongoing rubbish crisis. |
Antonio Bassolino, the president of Campania, is charged with defrauding the state and abuse of office. He has denied any wrongdoing. | Antonio Bassolino, the president of Campania, is charged with defrauding the state and abuse of office. He has denied any wrongdoing. |
The other defendants are employees of companies that won contracts for the disposal of the rubbish. | The other defendants are employees of companies that won contracts for the disposal of the rubbish. |
They are accused of failing to follow waste management regulations. | They are accused of failing to follow waste management regulations. |
Naples is still buried under 4,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish. | Naples is still buried under 4,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish. |
There are some 45,000 tonnes on the streets in the wider Campania region. | There are some 45,000 tonnes on the streets in the wider Campania region. |
This week, trains piled high with rubbish have been leaving the city destined for Germany, while fire fighters have been dousing the rubbish that has been set alight by residents. | This week, trains piled high with rubbish have been leaving the city destined for Germany, while fire fighters have been dousing the rubbish that has been set alight by residents. |
Failing standards | Failing standards |
Mr Bassolino is widely blamed for this mess. | Mr Bassolino is widely blamed for this mess. |
The investigation that led to this trial focused on events between 2000 and 2004, when he served as both regional president and special commissioner in charge of the rubbish collection. | The investigation that led to this trial focused on events between 2000 and 2004, when he served as both regional president and special commissioner in charge of the rubbish collection. |
Q&A: Can the EU clean up Naples? | Q&A: Can the EU clean up Naples? |
Prosecutors say it was the chronic mismanagement under his watch that has plunged Naples into a crisis. | Prosecutors say it was the chronic mismanagement under his watch that has plunged Naples into a crisis. |
The case also targets a construction company, Impregilo, and three other companies in its group that won contracts for the disposal of garbage. | The case also targets a construction company, Impregilo, and three other companies in its group that won contracts for the disposal of garbage. |
It is alleged they failed to manage the waste according to regulations and standards required. | It is alleged they failed to manage the waste according to regulations and standards required. |
Last week, the European Commission took Italy to court, saying the government had repeatedly failed to put in place a plan to tackle the problem. | Last week, the European Commission took Italy to court, saying the government had repeatedly failed to put in place a plan to tackle the problem. |
Responding, in his first speech to the new parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the scandal must and will end. | Responding, in his first speech to the new parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the scandal must and will end. |
He has pledged to hold his first cabinet meeting in the city of Naples on Wednesday next week. | He has pledged to hold his first cabinet meeting in the city of Naples on Wednesday next week. |