League councillors probed for discrimination (3)

(ANSA) - Turin, July 31 - Two Turin city council members from the anti-immigrant Northern League party are under investigation for possible religious discrimination, sources said Friday. The move came after Roberto Carbonero and Fabrizio Ricca last Tuesday removed a Muslim prayer rug provided by city hall for Muslim guests at a forum on Islamic fashion. "We have nothing against the Muslim religion, but city hall is a secular and institutional place," the pair said as they removed the prayer rug. The incident sparked widespread condemnation.
    Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said preventing anyone from praying is "irresponsible", and Turin Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia called for equal treatment for all religions.
    Turin Mayor Piero Fassino called the pair's actions "indecent behavior, offensive to the city and its guests".
    Sources said the two are being investigated for possible violations of a 1993 law banning the promotion of nazi-fascist ideology and discrimination, violence or persecution based on race, religion or ethnicity.