Senate rejects arrest for Azzollini

(ANSA) - Rome, July 29 - The Senate on Wednesday voted against a petition to lift Antonio Azzollini's parliamentary immunity so he could be put under house arrest. The petition was rejected with 189 votes against, 96 in favour and 17 abstentions. Azzollini, a lawmaker for the New Centre Right (NCD) party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition, is under investigation for alleged involvement in the fraudulent bankruptcy of a Catholic nursing home chain.
    An Upper House panel has previously voted to allow the arrest. The Senator is implicated in the 500-million-euro bankruptcy case involving the Divine Providence nursing home chain, employing 1,600 people. Azzollini is also the former mayor of the Puglia city of Molfetta.