Southern mayor shot to death
Angelo Vassallo known for environmental battles
06 September, 12:29
(ANSA) - Salerno, September 6 - The mayor of a southern
Italian town was killed Sunday night by gunmen who sprayed his
car with bullets, police said.Angelo Vassallo, 57, the centre-left mayor of Pollica near Salerno, was known for his campaigns in favour of the environment and to stem illegal building in his municipality, which contains several noted beauty spots and beaches.
He was elected to a second term in March.
"(Vassallo) was worried...He was a man in the front line against crime and reported all developments to me," said the prosecutor in charge of the investigation.
Vassallo had been nicknamed the "fisherman-mayor" because of his job and his environmental work.
However, he had himself been reported to the police for alleged extortion and embezzlement.
Police said they were "exploring all avenues".
The deputy speaker of the European Parliament, Gianni Pittella of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), said: "The country has lost one of its best local administrators, who bravely fought to uphold law and order and defend one of the most beautiful areas in the Mezzogiorno".
Ermete Realacci, former head of environmental group Legambiente and now the PD's 'green economy' pointman, said: "The South has lost a person of great worth and courage... a friend who turned the defence of the environment into a battle".
