Probes into scores of cases of illegal building 03/11/2006 00:00

3 November 2006

MADRID — Scores of cases of illegal building are under investigation across Spain, the news agency EFE reported on Friday.

Corruption involving council officials, building on protected areas or reclassifying rural land as urban in order to be able to building property are all being investigated by prosecutors and judges across the country.

EFE reported scores of cases were underway involving allegedly corrupt mayors or councillors.

The best known police operation, codenamed Malaya, involves a multi-billion euro graft scandal in Malaga which led to the arrest of 15 members of the council including the mayor and the head of urban planning in March.

The central government in Madrid dissolved the council as a result of the scandal. 

But there are scores of minor cases going on around the country, reported EFE.

Many have come to light as a result of allegations made by opposition parties, ecological groups or neighbours' associations.

EFE said it had investigated the scale of the problem through asking local authorities across Spain.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news