Sicily revokes century-old Mondello beach concession over mafia links

Mondello beach in Palermo is framed by mountains and 19th-century villas and famed for its Caribbean-blue water and white sand. For nearly a century residents and tourists have complained that private lidos, cabins and deckchairs have left scant room for public access.

Sicilian authorities revoked the permit of Italo Belga, the company that has controlled the beach for all that time, citing the risk of mafia infiltration into a firm subcontracted to carry out maintenance. An inquiry by regional MP Ismaele La Vardera and reporting in La Repubblica found that individuals who worked for the subcontractor GM Edil had relatives who were members of Cosa Nostra; La Vardera was subsequently given police protection.

Italo Belga strongly denied having any dealings with mafia figures and said its managers are not under investigation for mafia-related offences, adding that it was unaware the subcontractor's employees had familial links to the mafia and that it has operated "in full compliance with the law".

Italy, Sicily

mondello beach, palermo, italo belga, gm edil, cosa nostra, mafia infiltration, permit revocation, ismaele la, la repubblica, police protection